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THE MOSCOW ART 
THEATRE SERIES 
OF RUSSIAN PLAYS 

DIRECTION OF MORRIS GEST 
Edited by OLIVER M. SAYLER 

VOLUME I 

TSAR FYODOR 
IVANOVITCH 

A PLAY IN FIFE ACTS 
BY 

COUNT ALEXEI TOLSTOY 

English translation by 
JENNY COVAN 



NEW YORK 
BRENTANOS 

PUBLISHERS 

Copyright, 1922, 

By Morri9 Gest 

All rights reserved 



L. R. SAYLER 



INTRODUCT 

ting that the Moscow series of 

'lays, published in En£ >n under 

Drship of Morris Gest . At of the 

patrons : : this foremost playhouse o. >pean con- 

tinent on its visit to America, should be mu iuced with 
Count Alexei Tolstoy's spectacular historical tragedy, 
"Tsar Fyodor Ivanovitch." The works of Gorky and 
Tchekhoff, likewise included in this series, are more or 
less familiar, but "Tsar Fyodor" reaches print here for 
the first time in our language. 

For those who are not close students of Russian litera- 
ture, it is well to identify the author of "Tsar Fyodor" 
as the elder cousin of Count Lyoff Tolstoy and a poet 
and dramatist whose plays are more highly esteemed by 
Russian critics than those of his more versatile, provoca- 
tive and celebrated relative. Born in 1817 and dying in 
1875, his fame rests chiefly on a dramatic trilogy from 
Russian history: "The Death of Ivan the Terrible" 
(1866), "Tsar Fyodor Ivanovitch" (1875), and "Tsar 
Boris" (1870). 

Spanning three successive reigns, from 1533 to 1604, 
this trilogy dramatizes an epoch in Russian history 
roughly parallel to the height of Tudor power in Eng- 
land. The most human, pathetic and moving of these 
three plays is "Tsar Fyodor," whose action is set midway 
in that weak but pious monarch's rule, 1584-1598. Rus- 
sia had been exhausted by the bloody fanaticism of Ivan 
the Terrible, whose insane temper had done to death his 
elder and abler son. Fyodor, the younger, succeeded to 
the throne, only to find his realm torn wide open by 
factional fights among the boyars, headed on the one 
hand by his imperial chancellor, Boris Godunoff, and on 
the other by Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky, with prince 
and princess, priest and peasant, as mere pawns in the 
struggle. Striving passionately to compose these feuds, 
but powerless in his vacillation to affect their course, he 

ii 

M I ex ; 



-fa £6 

INTRODUCTION iii 

... 
is one he niost appealing figures in all historical 

drama. 

Arounc this amazing character study, the dramatist 
has woven a gorgeous medieval tapestry of word and 
action. "Tsar Pyedog is like nothing so much in our 
language as the Shakespearean chronicles of Plantagenet, 
Lancastrian, York and Tudor. As the English poet re- 
vived the colorful entourages of departed reigns for the 
sake of the opportunity to depict character among the 
various Richards and Henrys, so the Russian poet has 
herein restored the entire pageantry of the court of an 
ancient Tsar. 

The task of restoring to life this pageant of a pictur- 
esque and bygone age has been still further perfected by 
the Moscow Art Theatre's mastery of makeup and 
psychological realism. With this play, the theatre opened 
its first season a quarter of a century ago. In its reper- 
tory it has remained ever since. Through it, America 
first becomes acquainted with the work of this astonishing 
organization. Russia's vivid past breathes once more 
through the necromancy of her contemporary artists. 

"Tsar Fyodor" was written in verse. It has been 
thought wiser, however, to employ a simple, straight- 
forward prose in this translation in order to avoid undue 
exaggeration of an already somewhat florid narrative, as 
judged by current standards. The Editor. 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Tsar Fyodor Ivanovitch — Son of Ivan the Terrible. 
Tsarina Irina Fyodorovna — 

His wife, sister of Godunoff. 
Boris Fyodorovitch Godunoff — Imperial Chancellor. 
Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky — 

Cavalry Officer. 
Dionisy — Metropolitan of All the Russias. 
Varlaam — Archbishop of Krutits. 
Ioff — Archbishop of Rostoff. 



Officers 
of the Shouisky faction. 



iv CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Coadjutor of the Holy Synod. 
Archimandrite of the Holy Synod. 
Court Chaplain. 
Prince Vassily Ivanovitch Shouisky — 

Nephew of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 
Prince Andrei 1 

Prince Dimitry VOf the Shouisky family. 
Prince Ivan 
Prince Mstislavsky 
Prince Khvorostinin 
Prince Shakhovskoy 

MlKHAILO GOLOVIN 

Andrei Petrovitch Loup-Kleshnin — 

Tsar Fyodors former tutor, of the Godunoff faction. 
Prince Tureynin — Of the Godunoff faction. 
Princess Mstislavskaya — 

Niece of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky, fiancee of 
Prince Shakhovskoy. 
Vassilisa Volokhova — Marriage-broker. 

BOGDAN KURIUKOFF 

Ivan Krassilnikoff Delegates from Moscow, of the 

Golub, Senior Shouisky faction. 

Golub, Junior 

Fediuk Starkoff — 

Aide-de-camp of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 

Lute-Player. 

Imperial Groom. 

A Servant of Boris Godunoff. 

Courier — from the village of Tieshloff. 

Courier — from the village of V glitch. 

Man-of-Arms. 

Noblemen, Noblewomen, Chambermaids, Stewards, 
Deacons, Popes, Priests, Merchants, Country 
People, Archers, Servants, Beggars, and crowds. 

ACTION: — The action takes place at Moscow, at the 
end of the Sixteenth Century. 



ACT ONE. 

SCENE I. 

The Home of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 

At the extreme left is a table around which are grouped 
all the members of the Shouisky household, except Ivan 
Petrovitch and Vassily Ivanovitch. 

Next to the Shouiskys are grouped the Coadjutor of 
the Holy Synod, the Archimandrite of the Holy Synod, 
and several other clerics. A few noblemen are also 
seated at the table, while others stroll around, chatting, 
in the background. To the right is a group of merchants 
and tradespeople; and there is, too, another table with 
tumblers and dishes at which Starkoff, Prince Ivan 
Petrovitch' s Aide-de-Camp, stands waiting, 

Andrei Shouisky [to the clerics] Yes, yes, Reverend 
Fathers. I place great hopes upon the outcome of this 
affair. Godunoif really reigns — reigns through his sister. 
By her alone he stands to-day greater and stronger than 
all the nobles of this land. Already he handles Russia, 
people and lands and Holy Church, as if it were his own 
domain. Get rid of his sister — and we can manage him. 

Archimandrite. So Prince Ivan Petrovitch gave his 
consent ? 

Andrei Shouisky. Very reluctantly! You see, he 
greatly pities the Tsarina. There will be a wedding in 
my family. My niece is going to be Prince Shakhovskoy's 
bride — with joy and laughter — while grief will stalk 



2 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

through the imperial palace when I shall tear apart Tsar 
and Tsarina. 

Coadjutor. Prince Ivan is very soft-hearted. 

Dimitry Shouisky. That's his nature. On the 
battlefield like a lion ! But let him take off his uniform, 
and you would not imagine him to be the same man! 

Golovin. But how did he finally give his consent? 

Andrei Shouisky. Thanks to Prince Vassily who 
made him give it. 

Golovin. No good can come of it. My opinion is: if 
you do a thing, do it thoroughly — or not at all. 

Andrei Shouisky. And what would you do? 

Golovin. I would simplify matters. But this is not 
the time to talk of it. Shh ! Here he is now! 

[Enter Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky referred to hereafter 
as Ivan who has a paper in his hand.~\ 

Ivan. Reverend Fathers! Princes! Nobles! My 
respects to you — and to you, too, merchants ! At last I 
have decided. No longer can we tolerate Godunoff. 
We of the faction of Shouisky are patriots. We are 
ready to fight for our fatherland, our church, the welfare 
and future of Russia, while Godunoffs success spells 
Russia's ruin. We shall not permit it. It is between 
him and us. Read, Vassily Ivanovitch. 

Vassily Shouisky [reading] "To the Almighty 
Prince of All the Russias, our Ever- Victorious Tsar, the 
Emperor Fyodor Ivanovitch! We, the clerics, princes, 
nobles, and merchants of all Russia, address you, Majesty! 
Have mercy upon us, your subjects! Your Tsarina, a 
Godunoff by birth, has borne you no children, while a 
great misfortune has befallen your brother, Dimitry 
Ivanovitch. And should you, through the will of God, 
be taken from us, your dynasty would become extinct 
and your kingdom orphaned. Thus pity us, AU-Powerful 
Emperor ! Do not permit your father's throne to become 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 3 

empty! For the sake of your race and for the welfare 
of your people, Almighty Emperor, be graciously pleased 
to take another wife unto yourself. Take for your 
Tsarina — " 

Ivan. We will write the name in later on, after we 
and His Holiness have come to a decision. Read on. 

Vassily Shouisky [confirming] "Send your childless 
Tsarina into a convent, as your late father, the Almighty 
Prince Ivan Vassilitch, decreed. And to this, the humble 
prayer of All the Russias, we have to-day affixed our 
signatures." 

Ivan [to the noblemen'] Are you all willing to sign? 

The Nobles. Yes! 

Ivan [to the clerics] And you, Reverend Fathers? 

The Coadjutor. His Holiness sends his blessings and 
commands us to join forces with you. 

Archimandrite. No longer shall Godunoff be per- 
mitted to overrule Our Lord's Holy Church. 

Ivan [to the merchants] And you? 

Merchants. Your Grace, who are we, not to follow 
where you lead ? We have been suffering under a great 
disadvantage ever since Godunoff exempted the English 
traders from paying taxes. 

Ivan [takes his pen] Forgive me, Lord God! It is for 
the welfare of our people that I lay this crime upon 
my soul ! 

Vassily Shouisky. Come, come, uncle. Why call it 
a crime? It is not through enmity to Irina that you 
propose doing away with her, but to strengthen the 
throne of Russia. 

Ivan. True! I shall do away with her to destroy 
Boris Godunoff. Why torture my soul about it? My 
path is not without thorns. 

Vassily Shouisky. Why, uncle — ? What attrac- 
tion can Irina find in worldly pomp? Compared to 



Officers 
of the Skouisky faction, 



iv CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Coadjutor of the Holy Synod. 
Archimandrite of the Holy Synod. 
Court Chaplain. 
Prince Vassily Ivanovitch Shouisky — 

Nephew of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 
Prince Andrei 

Prince Dimitry VOf the Shouisky family. 
Prince Ivan 
Prince Mstislavsky 
Prince Khvorostinin 
Prince Shakhovskoy 

MlKHAILO GOLOVIN 

Andrei Petrovitch Loup-Kleshnin — 

Tsar Fyodors former tutor, of the Godunoff faction. 
Prince Tureynin — Of the Godunoff faction. 
Princess Mstislavskaya — 

Niece of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky, fiancee of 
Prince Shakhovskoy. 
Vassilisa Volokhova — Marriage-broker. 

BOGDAN KURIUKOFF 

Ivan Krassilnikoff Delegates from Moscow, of the 

Golub, Senior Shouisky faction. 

Golub, Junior 

Fediuk Starkoff — 

Aide-de-camp of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 

Lute-Player. 

Imperial Groom. 

A Servant of Boris Godunoff. 

Courier — from the village of Tieskloff. 

Courier — from the village of U glitch. 

Man-of-Arms. 

Noblemen, Noblewomen, Chambermaids, Stewards, 
Deacons, Popes, Priests, Merchants, Country 
People, Archers, Servants, Beggars, and crowds. 

ACTION : — The action takes place at Moscow, at the 
end of the Sixteenth Century. 



ACT ONE. 

SCENE I. 

The Home of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 

At the extreme left is a table around which are grouped 
all the members of the Shouisky household, except Ivan 
Petrovitch and Vassily Ivanovitch. 

Next to the Shouiskys are grouped the Coadjutor of 
the Holy Synod, the Archimandrite of the Holy Synod, 
and several other clerics. A few noblemen are also 
seated at the table, while others stroll around, chatting, 
in the background. To the right is a group of merchants 
and tradespeople; and there is, too, another table with 
tumblers and dishes at which Starkoff, Prince Ivan 
Petrovitch' s Aide-de-Camp, stands waiting. 

Andrei Shouisky [to the clerics] Yes, yes, Reverend 
Fathers. I place great hopes upon the outcome of this 
affair. Godunoff really reigns — reigns through his sister. 
By her alone he stands to-day greater and stronger than 
all the nobles of this land. Already he handles Russia, 
people and lands and Holy Church, as if it were his own 
domain. Get rid of his sister — and we can manage him. 

Archimandrite. So Prince Ivan Petrovitch gave his 
consent ? 

Andrei Shouisky. Very reluctantly! You see, he 
greatly pities the Tsarina. There will be a wedding in 
my family. My niece is going to be Prince Shakhovskoy's 
bride — with joy and laughter — while grief will stalk 



2 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

through the imperial palace when I shall tear apart Tsar 
and Tsarina. 

Coadjutor. Prince Ivan is very soft-hearted. 

Dimitry Shouisky. That's his nature. On the 
battlefield like a lion ! But let him take off his uniform, 
and you would not imagine him to be the same man! 

Golovin. But how did he finally give his consent? 

Andrei Shouisky. Thanks to Prince Vassily who 
made him give it. 

Golovin. No good can come of it. My opinion is: if 
you do a thing, do it thoroughly — or not at all. 

Andrei Shouisky. And what would you do? 

Golovin. I would simplify matters. But this is not 
the time to talk of it. Shh ! Here he is now! 

[Enter Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky referred to hereafter 
as Ivan who has a paper in his hand.] 

Ivan. Reverend Fathers! Princes! Nobles! My 
respects to you — and to you, too, merchants ! At last I 
have decided. No longer can we tolerate Godunoff. 
We of the faction of Shouisky are patriots. We are 
ready to fight for our fatherland, our church, the welfare 
and future of Russia, while Godunoffs success spells 
Russia's ruin. We shall not permit it. It is between 
him and us. Read, Vassily Ivanovitch. 

Vassily Shouisky [reading] "To the Almighty 
Prince of All the Russias, our Ever-Victorious Tsar, the 
Emperor Fyodor Ivanovitch! We, the clerics, princes, 
nobles, and merchants of all Russia, address you, Majesty! 
Have mercy upon us, your subjects! Your Tsarina, a 
Godunoff by birth, has borne you no children, while a 
great misfortune has befallen your brother, Dimitry 
Ivanovitch. And should you, through the will of God, 
be taken from us, your dynasty would become extinct 
and your kingdom orphaned. Thus pity us, All-Powerful 
Emperor ! Do not permit your father's throne to become 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 3 

empty! For the sake of your race and for the welfare 
of your people, Almighty Emperor, be graciously pleased 
to take another wife unto yourself. Take for your 
Tsarina — " 

Ivan. We will write the name in later on, after we 
and His Holiness have come to a decision. Read on. 

Vassily Shouisky [continuing] "Send your childless 
Tsarina into a convent, as your late father, the Almighty 
Prince Ivan Vassilitch, decreed. And to this, the humble 
prayer of All the Russias, we have to-day affixed our 
signatures. ,, 

Ivan [to the noblemen] Are you all willing to sign? 

The Nobles. Yes! 

Ivan [to the clerics] And you, Reverend Fathers? 

The Coadjutor. His Holiness sends his blessings and 
commands us to join forces with you. 

Archimandrite. No longer shall Godunoff be per- 
mitted to overrule Our Lord's Holy Church. 

Ivan [to the merchants] And you? 

Merchants. Your Grace, who are we, not to follow 
where you lead ? We have been suffering under a great 
disadvantage ever since Godunoff exempted the English 
traders from paying taxes. 

Ivan [takes his pen] Forgive me, Lord God! It is for 
the welfare of our people that I lay this crime upon 
my soul! 

Vassily Shouisky. Come, come, uncle. Why call it 
a crime? It is not through enmity to Irina that you 
propose doing away with her, but to strengthen the 
throne of Russia. 

Ivan. True! I shall do away with her to destroy 
Boris Godunoff. Why torture my soul about it? My 
path is not without thorns. 

Vassily Shouisky. Why, uncle — ? What attrac- 
tion can Irina find in worldly pomp? Compared to 



4 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

heavenly bliss, everything else seems tawdry and vain to 
her. 

Ivan. I repeat, my path is not without thorns. But 
I shall not turn back. It is better that the Tsarina, 
though innocent, should perish than our country. [Signs] 
Sign — all of you! [They all sign. Ivan goes to one 
side, and Prince Shakhovskoy joins him.] 

Shakhovskoy. Your Grace, when will you permit 
me to see my fiancee? 

Ivan. That's your one and only worry — your 
fiancee! Can't you wait? Be patient. She will come 
down with the others to greet you. 

Shakhovskoy. Your Grace, you never let me see her 
except when there are other people present. 

Ivan. And you would like to see her alone, I know. 
You are young, Prince, and I am a man of conventions. 
I hold conventions to be not only the basis of national, 
but also of family life. 

Shakhovskoy. And were you living up to your own 
conventions that time in Pskoff when Zamoisky tried to 
kill you, and when after you had caught him red-handed, 
you challenged him to a duel as if he were an honest 
man? 

Ivan. Zamoisky was not a pink-cheeked maiden, and 
I was not betrothed to him. There is no shame in meet- 
ing one's enemy in single combat. 

[Shakhovskoy walks away and Golovin joins Ivan.] 

Golovin [in an undertone] The matter could be 
settled more easily and speedily, should you so wish, 
Your Grace. The inhabitants of Uglitch are thinking 
of Dimitry Ivanovitch. 

Ivan. Well — what of it ? 

Golovin. They say in Moscow that Fyodor is weak 
in body, soul, and spirit — so — • if you . . . 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 5 

Ivan. Take care, Mikhailo Golovin, lest I should 
guess what you are driving at. 

Golovin. Your Grace . . . 

Ivan. For the present I let your insinuations pass in 
one ear and out the other. But should you speak of it 
again, before God! I shall tell the Tsar! 

[Princess Mstislavskaya enters in full evening dress, 
followed by two handmaidens and Volokhova, carrying 
a tray with tumblers. All bow to the Princess.] 

Vassily Shouisky [softly to Golovin] You certainly 
guessed wrong when you tried to make a tool of Ivan 
Petrovitch — Why — he would rather let himself be torn 
to pieces! Stop this nonsense. 

Golovin. If he were only willing — 

Vassily Shouisky. If! If my grandmother had a 
beard she would be my grandfather! 

Ivan. And now, dear guests, take the glasses which 
my niece will offer you. 

[Volokhova hands the tray to the Princess who serves 
the guests , bowing to them.] 

Shakhovskoy [to the Princess, in a whisper, after 
accepting the glass which she hands him] Will you per- 
mit me to see you very soon? 

[The Princess turns away.] 

Volokhova [in a whisper to Shakhovskoy] To-mor- 
row night — by the garden gate — 

Ivan [lifting the tumbler which Starkoff hands him] 
First let us drink to the health of our Tsar and Sovereign, 
Fyodor Ivanovitch. May he be our ruler for many a 
year to come ! 

All Together. Long life to the Tsar! 

Ivan. And now permit me to drink your health, 
gentlemen ! 

Prince Khvorostinin. Prince Ivan Petrovitch! A 



6 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

long time you shielded us against Latvia! Be now our 
shield against Boris Godunoff. 

Coadjutor. May the Lord God bless you, the de- 
fender of Holy Church ! 

Archimandrite. The destroyer of Nebuchadnezzar! 

Merchants. Your Grace, you are to us a very bul- 
wark of defense. We shall follow you through fire and 
flood. 

Prince Khvorostinin. Prince! Allow us now to 
toast the young bride and groom. 

All Together. Long may they live! 

Ivan. I thank you, dear guests, I thank you. Though 
she is only my niece, she is to me like my own daughter. 
Princess! And you, Grigory! Bow your thanks, my 
children ! 

All [drinking] Long life to the handsome groom and 
his charming bride ! 

Ivan. Thank you all. [To Mstislavskaya] You may 
leave us now, Natasha. You are still a child, not yet 
used to these worldly affairs. Why — you are blushing 
like a rose! [Kisses her gently on the forehead] Go now, 
my dear. 

[The Princess, Volokhova and the Handmaidens leave. 
Volokhova, in passing Shakhovskoy.] 

Volokhova. Don't forget — near the garden gate — 
and 'don't forget my little present ! 

Ivan. We have no time to lose. Let us send this 
address at once to His Holiness, and then spread it 
broadcast throughout all Moscow. 

Vassily Shouisky. No gossiping — God forbid! 

All. May God protect us! 

Ivan. Forgive me, all of you ! His Holiness will let 
as know when to present ourselves before the Tsar. 

[They move here and there, prepared to leave*] 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 7 

My path is not without thorns. To-day I understand 
how the man who fights against trickery cannot remain 
clean. The fight between truth and falsehood is uneven, 
unfair, and it is a most difficult task for an honest man to 
master the art of trickery. Fortunate is he who can face 
his enemies, openly, on the field of battle! Though 
thunder and lightning rage above his head, his soul is 
clean and certain of itself. To-day the knowledge that I 
am guilty of wrong is like a heavy stone upon my heart. 
But God is my witness that there are no other paths 
open to us. We can get no support from the Tsar. He 
is like soft putty in the hands of the man who knows 
how to fashion him. He is not our real ruler. Our 
real ruler is his brother-in-law, and all Russia clamors for 
protection against him ! Russia looks to us — to us alone ! 
There is no other choice ! We need a falsehood to combat 
a falsehood ! And may the crime which willingly I load 
upon my life haunt GodunofFs conscience! [Leaves.] 

Starkoff [looking after him] A falsehood to combat 
a falsehood! Very well. Then do not blame me, sir, 
if I, too, tell a falsehood and, by the same token, tell 
what is true of you. 

SCENE 11. 

Room in the Imperial palace. Godunoff is sitting at 
a table deep in thought. Near him stands Loup-Kleshnin 
and Prince Tureynin. Starkoff stands waiting at the 
door.] 

Kleshnin [to Starkoff] And so you will testify to 
everything? 

Starkoff. To everything — absolutely everything, 
sir! You may bring me face to face with the Tsar at 
once, if such be your wish ! 



8 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Kleshnin. Very well. Go, my dear fellow. We 
are satisfied. 

[Starkoff leaves.'] 

Kleshnin [to Godunoff] So that is how it stands? 
The sister is to be sent to a convent — and the brother 
is to be knifed ! Led by His Holiness they will approach 
the Tsar! 

Godunoff [deep in thought] Seven years have passed 
since Tsar Ivan's death. And now, when I may not 
even ward off the blow, whatever work I did for Russia 
is tumbling, and we shall again find ourselves plunged 
into the abyss as at the time of Tsar Ivan Vassilitch's 
death. 

Kleshnin. They are plotting and counter-plotting. 
Golovin, one of their henchmen, has won over the Nagi 
clan of Uglitch, and here they plan separating the Tsar 
from the Tsarina. So if they fail in one place, they 
are bound to succeed in the other ; like a cat — if it 
cannot bite, it scratches ! 

Tureynin [to Godunoff] Sir, do not permit them to 
offer their respects in audience to the Tsar. You know 
what he is like — he cannot say "No" to priests. 

Kleshnin. You must take no risks. No wonder the 
late Tsar nicknamed him the sexton. Ah — Little Father 
Ivan Vassilitch! If you were alive to-day you would 
know how to deal with the Nagis and the Shouiskys! 

Godunoff. Have we received no news from Uglitch ? 

Kleshnin. None whatever. Just let Bitanovsky 
send us written evidence that Golovin corresponded with 
the Nagis, and then we shall know how to handle the 
Shouiskys. 

Tureynin. And suppose he is double-crossing us? 

Kleshnin. No matter! With such evidence they 
are in our hands. 

Tureynin. So much the better for us. I, on the 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 9 

other hand, have an old account to settle with Prince 
Ivan Petrovitch. We were dying of hunger in Pskoff 
while we were exposed day and night to a rain of bullets, 
and I, out of sheer pity for the tradespeople who were 
perishing, advised them to open negotiations with the king 
of Batur. But Prince Ivan Petrovitch ordered the noose 
to be put about my neck, and I was pardoned, thanks 
only to the prayers of some pious pilgrims. I have not 
forgotten it, and I would give all I own if I could put 
the noose around his neck. 

Kleshnin. Bad luck to him ! He is kindly to mer- 
chants and tradespeople and other such rogues — with us 
he is haughty. Ah — if only we could get the written 
evidence ! 

Tureynin [to Godunoff] Your fate hangs by a thread. 
You must decide! 

Godunoff [rising] I have decided! 

Tureynin. What ? 

Godunoff. To make peace. 

Tureynin and Kleshnin [together] What? Peace 
with the Shouiskys? 

Godunoff. To-morrow they and I shall become 
friends. 

Tureynin. What? Give in to them? You are 
willing to divide the power with them ? 

Kleshnin. Why, Little Father, have you lost your 
mind? You are letting the bull into the china shop! 

Godunoff. When a great storm rages and the ship 
and all it contains is threatened with disaster, only a 
madman will refuse to throw overboard part of his 
treasure in order to save something from the wreck. 
Half of my rights I shall throw into the waves, but the 
ship itself I shall save! 

Kleshnin. How will you meet them? Will you be 



io TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

the one to submit to them, or will you ask them to come 
to you? And who will make peace between you? 

Godunoff. The Tsar himself. 

[A steward opens the door J] 

Tureynin. Here comes the Tsar. 

[Enter Tsar Fyodor, followed by the Imperial Groom.] 

Fyodor. Groom! Why did my horse balk? 

Groom. Your Majesty, you reached for your purse 
to give alms to a beggar; at the same moment, the horse 
darted forward, you pulled the reins, and the animal be- 
came frightened. 

Fyodor. I was as much frightened as the horse. 
Groom, do not give him oats. Let him have only hay. 

Kleshnin. Tsar, if I were in your place, I would 
suggest putting the thumb-screws on the groom to teach 
him not to give wild horses to Your Majesty. 

Groom. Why, sir, how can this horse be wild? He 
is twenty-five years old ! The late Tsar used to ride him ! 

Fyodor. Perhaps it was my own fault after all. I 
spurred him a little too much. You say he balked be- 
cause he became frightened ? 

Groom. Yes, Your Majesty, because he became 
frightened ! 

Fyodor. Well, then, this time I forgive him; but I 
will not ride him again. Pension him off — and give 
him his full share of oats until his death. [Tsarina Irina 
comes in through the other door] Good day, Irinushka! 

Irina. Good day, light of my soul ! Are you tired ? 

Fyodor. Yes, yes, quite tired, I trotted steadily all 
the way from Andron. Right here, near the palace gate, 
the horse tried to throw me. But I mastered him. I 
spurred him so hard that he quieted down. Irinushka, 
I take it that dinner is ready? 

Irina. Yes, light of my soul, eat to your heart's con- 
tent. 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH n 

Fyodor. Of course, of course. We shall dine right 
away. The ride gave me a ravenous appetite. They have 
lovely chimes at Andron. I want to send for their 
sacristan, and have him show me how he handles them. 
. . . Irinushka, what a beauty I saw at Andron's house! 
Do you know who? Mstislavskaya! She is a niece of 
the Shouiskys. Have you seen her, brother-in-law? 

Godunoff. No, your Majesty, for years I have not 
been on speaking terms with the Shouiskys. 

Fyodor. What a pity, brother-in-law, what a great 
pity ! . . . She is so tall and slender — and what a 
complexion ! 

Irina. Aren't you a bit infatuated with her, Fyodor? 

Fyodor. And — oh — what eyebrows ! 

Irina. Really! You talk of her a great deal. 

Fyodor. What of it, Irinushka? After all I'm not 
yet an old man. I can still attract women. 

Irina. Shame on you ! She is engaged ! 

Fyodor. Yes, to Shakhovskoy. Brother-in-law, do 
you know Prince Grigory Shakhovskoy? 

Godunoff. I used to know him, Your Majesty. But 
he is now an ally of the Shouiskys. 

Fyodor. Brother-in-law, it grieves me to hear this; 
this one is allied with the Shouiskys, and that one is your 
ally! Will I ever live to see the day when one and all 
shall be Russia's allies? 

Godunoff. It would make me happy, Your Majesty. 
I would not be the one to lag behind if I only knew 
how to make peace. 

Fyodor. Really, brother-in-law? You mean it? Why 
didn't you tell me before? I shall make peace between 
you. To-morrow I shall bring you and Prince Ivan 
Petrovitch together. 

Godunoff. I am ready, Your Majesty. But it seems 
to me . • . 



ia TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Fyodor. Not another word! Don't you bother your 
head about it, Boris. You would not know how. Go 
on administering the country. That is a thing you know, 
and know well. But I shall attend to the other matter. 
For it demands a knowledge of the human soul. To- 
morrow, then, I shall make peace between you. And now 
let us go in to dinner. [Turns toward doors, stops'] 
Listen, Irinushka; just the same, Mstislavskaya kept on 
looking on me in church! 

Irina. What can I do, Fyodor? It is to be my bitter 
destiny, evidently. 

Fyodor [embracing her] Dear heart! Beloved! I 
was only jesting. Why — is there any one in all the 
world more lovely than you? Come, let us go and eat 
before our dinner gets cold. 

[Fyodor leaves, Irina following. Godunofi, Kleshnin, 
and Tureynin follow toward door.] 

Kleshnin [to Godunoff, leaving room] So you are 
going to make peace, eh? And you will become friends 
with your deadliest foe? 

Tureynin. The one who hates you most ! And then 
what? 

Godunoff. And then — we shall see ! 

[They leave.] 

CURTAIN 



ACT TWO. 

Room in the Tsar's palace. Tsar Fyodor is sitting in 
a large arm-chair. To his right Irina is doing gold- 
thread embroidery on a frame. To the left, sitting in 
arm-chairs are: Dionisy, Metropolitan of Russia; Var- 
laam, Archbishop of Krutits; Ioff, Archbishop of Rostoff ; 
Boris Godunoff. A number of nobles are at hand. 

Fyodor. Most Reverend Father Dionisy! Reverend 
Father Ioff ! And you, Father Varlaam ! I sent for you, 
Reverend Sirs, to help me in an important matter; in 
other words, to assist me in making peace between two 
old foes. You know how long I have grieved over the 
fact that the Shouiskys, an honorable family, and Boris 
Godunoff, my esteemed brother-in-law, have been es- 
tranged by a useless feud. But apparently the Lord has 
listened to my prayers and has endowed Boris , heart with 
the spirit of humility. He himself promised me to-day 
to forget his enemies' deeds, and to be the first to offer 
his hand to the Shouiskys. Is that not so, brother-in-law? 

Godunoff. It is my duty to bow to your wishes, 
Your Majesty. 

Fyodor. Thank you, brother-in-law! You remember 
the Blessed Scriptures, and faithfully you observe their 
lessons. There is one thing, though, about Prince Ivan 
Petrovitch Shouisky which I wish to tell you. He is 
inclined to be a little harsh and proud and aggressive. So 
it would be better if you say as little as possible to 

13 



i 4 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

each other, and perhaps it would be best if you should 
go to him and shake his hand — like this — and tell him 
that everything is forgotten and that hereafter you wish 
to live in peace with him and his clan. 

Godunoff. I am ready! 

Fyodor. Thank you, brother-in-law! Do not forget 
— he is a warrior. He has grown up amidst the clang 
of battle, the roar of the cannons, the clash of steel, and 
the thud of lance and halberd. But he is a pious man 
for all that, and he will doubtless listen to friendly words. 
[To Dionisy] As for you, Most Reverend Father, as 
soon as they clasp hands, give them your blessing quickly, 
and speak to them encouraging words. 

Dionisy. It is my duty, Your Majesty, as a servant 
of Christ's Holy Church, to bring to everybody the mes- 
sage of peace. Be this a religious matter or not, yet shall 
I try to win over Prince Shouisky. 

Fyodor. Most Reverend Father, we stand ready, one 
and all, to defend the Church. Boris and I and Shouisky, 
we all are stanch supporters of the Faith. 

Dionisy. All-Powerful Tsar, your zeal is well known 
to us, but unfortunately your will does not empower all 
decisions. [Looks at Godunoff meaningly] When our 
Holy Synod found some merchants of Novgorod guilty 
of heresy, they were permitted a few days later to go free 
and return to Novgorod and tempt the peasants with their 
evil doctrines. 

Godunoff. Your Holiness, these merchants trade 
with German towns, and thus bring a great deal of 
profit to our government. Without them Novgorod 
would be ruined. 

Dionisy. Is it for the sake of profit that heretics 
should be allowed to go unpunished? 

Godunoff. Qod forbid, Most Reverend Father ! The 
Tsar has already ordered his soldiers to arrest the pro- 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 15 

pounder of these heresies. But the Tsar differentiates 
between tempter and tempted. 

Fyodor. Of course, brother-in-law. And, Most Rev- 
erend Sir, even the tempters themselves should neither be 
punished nor tortured. They should answer for their 
sins to the Lord God. You yourself can exhort them. 
For, Reverend Sir, it is not without reason that they call 
you a wise theologian. 

Dionisy. We try to do the best we can through ex- 
hortation. But you are not aware of all the facts. The 
bailiffs and tax and revenue collectors began to join 
churches and monasteries for their own ends, and they 
brought into play forgotten tricks and twists to influence 
the people. 

Godunoff. Most Reverend Father, the Almighty 
Tsar has forestalled all your grievances. There will not 
arise in the future another occasion for us to take extreme 
measures. [Hands him an official paper] Here is the 
decree, Reverend Father, which will prevent these people 
from joining, for reasons of personal benefit, the mon- 
asteries and the organizations of Holy Church, and which 
transfers the jurisdiction in such cases from the imperial 
courts to the Church itself. 

Fyodor. Yes, Reverend Father, he wrote it, and I 
affixed my seal to it. 

Dionisy [glancing at the document'] Blessed be the 
peace-makers! When the imperial chancellor promises to 
guarantee our statutory rights, exemptions and privileges, 
then all past grievances shall be forgotten. 

Fyodor. Right, right, Reverend Father! Father Var- 
laam, come and assist His Holiness. 

Varlaam. Your Majesty, I shall second whatever 
His Holiness decides in this matter. 

Fyodor. Father Ioff , I depend upon you, too. 

Ioff. Your chancellor, Almighty Emperor, is both 



i6 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

kindly and wise, and it is our duty to pray to God for 
peace and good-will. 

Fyodor. You, too, Irinushka, I shall ask to say a 
helpful word to Shouisky should he show himself ob- 
stinate. A word from a woman's lips means a great 
deal and softens a steely heart. I know from experi- 
ence. I would never give in to a man, but just let a 
woman or child appeal to me, and I would gladly do 
anything. 

Irina. My Tsar and Lord, we shall do exactly as 
you command; but what weight has our word against 
yours? If you will only tell him firmly that their es- 
trangement angers you, Prince Ivan Petrovitch will never 
dare to disregard your wishes. 

Fyodor. Yes, yes, of course; I will instruct him, I 
will command him! And you, gentlemen, engage them 
quickly in conversation; do not remain silent. There is 
nothing worse for two adversaries who have come to- 
gether in peace than for everybody to stand round and 
silently watch while they stare at each other. . . . 

Kleshnin. We would be grateful, Your Majesty, if 
the Prince of Shoui would permit us occasionally to 
open our mouths. 

Fyodor. What do you mean — Prince of Shoui — ? 

Kleshnin. I mean that he behaves like an indepen- 
dent potentate, and not like a servant of Your Majesty. 

Khvorostinin. Your Majesty, your former tutor can- 
not forgive the Shouiskys for siding with the Nagi 
faction. 

Golovin. There are some who wish to ask you to 
recall the Tsarievitch to Moscow. 

Fyodor. Dimitry? I would be glad to! Dear lad! 
I feel he must be lonely there, while here I could cheer 
him up ; I could take him to play and dance and bear- 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 17 

fight! I have asked Boris time and again, but he tells 
me steadfastly that it cannot be done. 

Kleshnin. And he is right! It was not without rea- 
son that your late father exiled the Nagis to Uglitch. He 
knew the Nagis. He never allowed them too much 
liberty, and your brother-in-law, too, is watching them 
closely. 

Fyodor. Petrovitch, Petrovitch, you are speaking 
against the uncles of the Tsarievitch ! 

Kleshnin. The Tsarievitch? And how so? And I 
suppose his mother, her husband's seventh wife, was thus 
Tsarina? During your father's lifetime there were 
Tsarinas and to spare of her breed ! 

Fyodor. Come, come! Dimitry and I are brothers, 
and the Nagis are his uncles, so don't you dare criticize 
them in my presence. 

Kleshnin. Must I then praise them for wanting to 
overthrow you and put their own pretender upon the 
throne ? 

Fyodor. How dare you? 

Kleshnin. Must I also praise the Shouiskys for ally- 
ing themselves with the Nagis? 

Fyodor. I tell you — be silent, be silent! At once! 

Kleshnin [walking toward window] Very well, then. 
I shall not say another word! 

Fyodor [to Godunoff] Next time, brother-in-law, do 
not allow him to criticize my brother and my stepmother. 

Godunoff. Your Majesty, he is a simple man who 
means well. [Yells are heard outside.'] 

Kleshnin [looking from window] Here they come. 

Fyodor. Who ? 

Nobles [looking from window] The Shouiskys! 

Fyodor [stepping to window] What? They are here 
already ? 

Kleshnin. Yes. They are already at the outer gate. 



1 8 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

[The yells grow louder] See — first comes Ivan Petro- 
vitch, surrounded by swarms of merchants ! Listen — 
how they yell ! They throw their hats into the air ! They 
are pushing the archers out of the way! They have 
seized both Ivan's arms — they are leading him up the 
steps ! Why — they do not show such enthusiasm even 
for their own Tsar ! 

Fyodor. Look here, brother-in-law, do not forget your 
promise. And you, Irinushka, watch carefully! Should 
matters not run smoothly, you must help. Reverend 
Father, I rely on you absolutely! [Quickly resumes his 
seat.] 

Steward [opening the door] Prince Ivan Petrovitch! 

[Enter the Shouiskys; followed by Mstislavsky, Shak- 
hovskoy, and others.] 

Kleshnin [in an undertone to Tureynin, glancing at 
the Shouiskys] Just look at them! They do not even 
bow! 

Ivan [kneeling] Almighty Tsar! We are here in 
obedience to your command ! 

Fyodor. Rise, Prince Ivan Petrovitch ! Rise quickly ! 
Do not kneel at my feet! [Helps him to his feet] The 
Tsarina and I have not seen you for a long time. You 
were doubtless busy with family affairs. I have been 
told that you are giving your niece in marriage? 

Ivan. True, Your Majesty! 

Fyodor. I am glad, very glad. I congratulate you. 
So, as I said to you before, it is a long time since we have 
seen you — but perhaps you have had no leisure? This 
wedding — I presume that is why you have not attended 
the Duma of late? 

Ivan. Your Majesty, what business have I at the 
Duma as long as not the Duma but your brother-in-law 
settles the affairs of the empire? He has enough adher- 
ents amongst the nobility without me. 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 19 

Fyodor. Ivan Petrovitch! It grieves me to see that 
you and my brother-in-law have become so estranged. 
Our Lord God Himself commands us to love each other. 
Is such not God's command, Most Reverend Father? 

Dionisy. Indeed, Your Majesty! 

Fyodor. You see, Prince? What did the blessed 
Apostle say to the Corinthians? "I pray . . ." How- 
does it go, Father Varlaam ? 

Varlaam. "I beseech you that ye all speak the same 
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but 
that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in 
the same judgment." 

Fyodor. You see? And what did Apostle Peter say 
to the people? "Do not be unforgiving — " What else 
did he say, Father Ioff? 

Ioff. ^Finally be ye all like minded, loving as 
brethren; not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for re- 
viling!" And your brother-in-law, Almighty Tsar, in- 
deed lives up to the Apostle's words. 

Fyodor. Yes, Father Ioff, yes! Rest assured, Ivan 
Petrovitch, that he respects yo*i. We all admire your 
stanchness. Well, then, if only you were willing — if 
only you and Boris — [In a whisper to Godunoff] Go on, 
brother-in-law ! 

Godunoff. Prince Ivan Petrovitch ! I have brooded 
long over our ancient feud. If you are willing to forget 
the past, then so will I, and I would gladly be a brother 
to you and your clan. And so I offer you my hand in 
peace ! 

Ivan [drawing back'] Sir! Our enmity is too bitter 
and too real that it may be thus lightly dismissed ! 

Godunoff. What else then do you demand, Prince? 

Ivan. Most noble Godunoff. I accuse you of disre- 
garding Tsar Ivan Vassilitch"s wishes and testament, who 
on his death bed recommended that Russia be adminis- 



20 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

tered by five nobles. I was one; Zakarin-Yourieff an- 
other; Mstislavsky was the third; Bielsky the fourth, and 
yourself the fifth. And who is governing Russia to-day, 
pray tell ! 

Godunoff. Tsar Fyodor Ivanovitch! I am only the 
executor of his imperial will. 

Ivan. Do not evade the issue, sir ! You have usurped 
the imperial power by craftiness! As soon as Tsar Ivan 
passed away you banished Bielsky, while you forced 
Mstislavsky to become a monk; as for Nikita, Romano- 
vitch Yourieff, illness followed by death rid you of him. 
Only you and I remained. But you avoided me, and 
taking advantage of your position, you began suggesting to 
the Tsar whatever command you wished to be issued, 
and you interfered boldly with the rights of nobles and 
merchants, and even with those of the Church. Dissatis- 
faction became rife . . . 

Godunoff. Prince, permit me to say a word. . • . 

Ivan. Dissatisfaction became rife. But the Tsar's 
name was your shield. He, however, saw through you. 
The inhabitants of Moscow appealed to us, and we 
Shouiskys pledged ourselves to defend truth, and with us 
are all the people. This is the root of our mutual hatred. 
I have spoken the whole truth. Let the Tsar settle this 
matter between us. 

Godunoff. Prince Ivan Petrovitch! The Almighty 
Tsar wishes to make peace between us, but your words 
breathe enmity. Prince ! I shall not reply to your accusa- 
tions by counter-accusations, but I shall simply attempt 
to clear myself. You accuse me, Prince, of having 
usurped the power? But remember! Were you willing 
to cooperate with me? Were you not always the one to 
reject my advances? And, being absolutely unable to 
brook contradictions, was it not you who broke away? 
Then the Almighty Tsar, noticing your indifference, en- 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 21 

trusted the entire nation to my care. I, on the other 
hand, accepted the trust solely for the sake of Russia. 
The war with Latvia is ended, and we did not cede one 
foot of Russian ground. In order to subdue the Tartar 
horde we gave the chieftainship to the old chief's nephew, 
and the former chief, frightened, surrendered. We quelled 
the Tcheremeesian uprising. We concluded a truce with 
the Swedes. With the German Emperor and with Den- 
mark we strengthened our peace, while we signed with 
England a commercial treaty which may not altogether 
please our Moscow friends, but is of palpable benefit to 
our nation as a whole. Yet at the very time when Russia 
began to rise from the ashes of strife and poverty, you, 
Prince — and I do not mean to hurt your feelings — you, 
together with your brothers, inflamed the Moscow mob 
against me and secretly instructed intriguers to complain 
about me to the Tsar ! 

Andrei Shouisky [stepping forward] It is not for 
personal reasons that we took strong measures, sir. It 
was only when you began usurping the imperial preroga- 
tives that w r e and the people rose to the defense. 

Dimitry Shouisky. Such things did not occur even 
in the days of Tsar Ivan, sir. 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. The late Tsar was very 
severe with his courtiers. Those close to him feared him ; 
those far from him lived fearlessly their own lives. You, 
however, seem to have enmeshed all Russia in a net, and 
there is no peace for any one, anywhere, from you! 

Godunoff. When after long chaos Russia's house 
once more was being put in order, the healing of old 
wounds brought pain. Naturally! To strengthen a tot- 
tering building, there are walls which must be torn down. 
But, by the grace of God, we have passed the inevitable 
period of suffering, and every one has acknowledged the 
wisdom of the Tsar. You Shouiskys alone remain hostile 



22 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

and wish to throw back our new and better national 
existence into the old channels of strife. 

Ivan. Are we the only ones? Reverend Father 
EHonisy! Tell him whether we stand alone in grieving 
for the state of Christ's Church ! 

Dionisy. Prince, before your arrival we were speak- 
ing with the imperial chancellor. He will repeal all the 
decrees which we objected to so strongly. 

Ivan. I have my doubts. 

Godunoff. As to the rest, Prince, I am confident 
that we shall agree. The time of strife ended to-day. 
We have smoothed out whatever obstacles there were be- 
tween us in this land, and now you and I together can 
better serve it than I could by myself. 

Dionisy. Your words are wise and peaceful. We 
advise an end to this hate which is against the teachings 
of Our Savior and harmful to the^ welfare of the nation. 

Fyodor. Reverend Father, I am convinced that the 
Shouiskys will give in ! Am I not right, Prince, am I not 
right? Even the Tsarina, I know, agrees with me. Why 
are you so silent, Irinushka? 

Irina [continuing to embroider'] Really, I cannot be- 
lieve that Prince Shouisky can allow himself to be coaxed 
so long into doing what the Tsar can command with one 
word. [Looks at Shouisky] Tell me, Prince, if you stood 
now before Tsar Ivan instead of before Tsar Fyodor, 
would you hesitate so long? Can it be that you are 
forgetting your duty to the Tsar because he is so lenient 
and patient and kindly? 

Ivan. Tsarina, I spoke to the Tsar as I would have 
spoken to his father, and I would rather mount the 
scaffold than be untrue to my principles. I am certain, 
however, that I would never have had occasion to use 
such words before Tsar Ivan, since the late Tsar would 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 23 

never have permitted the imperial power to slip from his 
hands. 

Irina. Prince Ivan Petrovitch, when you were in 
Pskoff, surrounded by Lithuanians, and by your great 
bravery set an encouraging example to all Russia — I 
vowed then that, if you were saved, I would embroider 
in gold this cover for the sepulcher of Prince Vsevoloda's 
sacred remains in Pskoff. I have been embroidering for 
a long time, and my work is almost finished. Is it pos- 
sible that I who began this in honor of the one who saved 
Russia, shall see him an enemy of the state, now that it 
is finished? [Rises and crosses to Shouisky] Is it possible 
that he for whose welfare I and all Russia prayed so 
fervently, will bring strife into this land by his stub- 
bornness? I beg you — do not darken needlessly the 
glory of your fame with such a shadow! Obey the 
counsels of Holy Church and the Tsar's wishes! — 
Prince — [Bows deeply to him] See — I bend my knee 
before you — forget your enmity ! 

Ivan [deeply moved] Tsarina! Your words flow over 
my soul like a gentle brook ! The unexpected kindliness 
of your speech stirred my heart to its depths! How can 
I refuse your appeal! Believe me, I am glad to comply 
with the Tsar's wishes. But, before doing so, permit me 
to say two words to your brother. [To Godunoff] It is 
not the first time, sir, that you evade your enemies 
through tricks and clever speeches. What guarantee can 
you give us that this is not a trap to lull our suspicions, 
so that later on you may destroy us the more easily? 

Godunoff. Prince, mine own word and the Tsar's 
pledge will be your guarantee. 

Fyodor. Yes, yes, Prince, I give you my pledge. 

Ivan Petrovitch. What fate awaits those who stood 
by us in defense of our faith? 

Godunoff. Not one hair of their heads shall be 



24 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

touched, nor will a hand be raised against them in 
violence. 

Ivan. And will you seal this promise by kissing the 
Holy Cross before the Tsar? 

Godunoff. I will! 

Ivan [addressing* the nobles who came with him] 
What do you say? 

Nobles. We agree to whatever you propose! 

Ivan [to Godunoff] Here is my hand! 

Fyodor. My friends! Thanks, thanks! Irinushka, 
this is the happiest day of my life! Reverend Father 
Dionisy, bring the Cross — quick, quick! 

[Dionisy picks the Cross up from table and offers it 
first to Shouisky, then to Godunoff.] 

Ivan. I swear that from to-day on I shall not injure 
Boris Fyodorovitch Godunoff by deed or word; in wit- 
ness of which, I, for myself as well as for my brothers, 
my clansmen, adherents, traders and merchants, kiss the 
Cross of Christ, Our Savior! [Kisses the Cross.] 

Godunoff. I kiss the Cross in witness of the fact 
that from now on I shall live in peace and amity with the 
Shouiskys and that I shall hereafter in all matters per- 
taining to the State seek their advice; and as to their 
followers, princes, nobles, and merchants, I shall not take 
toll for whatever wrong they may have done me in the 
past. [Kisses the Cross.] 

Fyodor. That's it! Thus should one live up to the 
lessons of the Holy Scriptures! Embrace each other! 
That's it ! Well — has that not lessened the tension ? 
Isn't it so? [Loud voices outside] What are the shouts 
about? 

Ivan. Your Majesty, they probably wish to know the 
outcome of the meeting between the chancellor and my- 
self. With your permission, I shall go and join them. 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 25 

Fyodor. No, no, remain here. Let them come in. 
Let them rejoice that harmony has been restored! [To 
Kleshnin] Go, Petrovitch, and bring them in! 

Kleshnin. All of them? There's a whole troop of 
counter-jumpers ! 

Fyodor. Why all of them? Let them delegate a few 
of their number and send them in! [Kleshnin leaves] 
To be frank, brother-in-law, I am not over-anxious to 
see them. They will surround me with their complaints 
and petitions, and I can't stand the noise — the zumming 
and droning — it always fills my ears like the clanging 
of cymbals. I cannot bear it! One stands and stares 
and does not know what to say. Still — to-day it is 
different ! To-day I shall be glad to see them ! 

Godunoff. I am afraid, Your Majesty, that you will 
not be able to get rid of their importunate complaints. 
They are a troublesome lot. You had better permit me 
to speak to them. 

Kleshnin [returning] Your Majesty! Here are the 
delegates of all the merchants, grain-dealers, saddle- 
makers, weavers, and butchers whom Prince Shouisky 
brought along. Here they are! 

The Delegates, [enter and kneel] Your Imperial 
Majesty! God bless you for bidding us come into your 
august presence! 

Fyodor. Rise, men ! I am glad to see you. I sent 
for you to tell you — why don't you rise ? I am begin- 
ning to grow angry! [The Delegates rise with the ex- 
ception of one old man] Why don't you get up, my 
friend? 

The Old Man. I would like to, Your Majesty, but I 
cannot! I can still manage to get down on my knees, 
but when it comes to getting up I have not enough 
strength. I am growing hopelessly stiff, Your Majesty! 

Fyodor [to the others] Help him up, men ! [Two mer- 



26 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

chants assist the old man to his feet] That's it! You 
have not strained yourself, grandfather? Who are you? 

The Old Man. I am Bogdan Semyonovitch Kuriu- 
koff, a visitor from Moscow. 

Fyodor. How old are you? 

Kuriukoff. I am getting on towards a hundred 
years! In the days of your mother, Alona Vassilievna, I 
w r as an employee of the mint, making kopeck pieces on 
which was embossed the likeness of the Imperial Prince. 
You see, already in those olden days I was an employee 
of the state! Yes, I am well over a hundred! 

Fyodor. Why, grandfather, you are shaky! Gentle- 
men, you ought to bring him a chair! 

Kuriukoff. Your Majesty, how dare I sit down in 
your presence? 

Fyodor. But you are so very old. I take it you have 
seen a great deal in your life. 

Kuriukoff. Why, Little Father, how could I help 
seeing things? To be sure — I have seen a bit of every- 
thing. I well remember the time when Vassily Ivano- 
vitch put his wife, Solomona Yourievna, into a convent be- 
cause she was sterile, and took your mother, Alona Vas- 
silievna, to wife. Then, you see, the people divided into 
two factions, one siding with your mother, the other with 
Solomona Yourievna. In those days there were terrible 
quarrels between the nobles; at the time of your father's 
minority the Prince of Oftchin fought bitterly with the 
Shouiskys, involving in their feud all of Moscow. Our 
clan always sided with the Shouiskys. It has been a tradi- 
tion with us. All of a sudden you would hear the alarm 
sounding — and then, off to arms! Rally around the 
Shouiskys! The stores would quickly put up their shut- 
ters; quickly would we pick up whatever weapon came 
first to hand, hatchet or pole-ax, and rush to the market- 
place where the fight already would be in full swing, one 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 27 

side yelling: "Death to the Oftchins!", the other side: 
"Death to the Shouiskys!" And on with the fight! 

Fyodor. It was a great sin, grandfather! 

Kuriukoff. Then, as soon as your father became of 
age and assumed the reins of authority, everything quieted 
down. 

Kleshnin. Well — he evidently never spoke in jest! 

Kuriukoff. God forbid ! He was a very strict Tsar. 
He ruled the nobles with an iron fist! There was no 
trifling with him ! Before you had time to think, the 
gallows would rise in the marketplace. Ah — there was 
punishment and suffering to spare! All of a sudden — 

Fyodor. Grandfather, I asked you and your friends 
in to tell you — 

Kuriukoff. The tambourines would suddenly jingle, 
calling the people to the marketplace — 

Fyodor. I asked you all in — 

Kuriukoff. In spite of everything you'd go — 

A Young Merchant [pulling him by the cost] 
Bogan Semyonovitch ! The Tsar is speaking! 

Kuriukoff. Just a moment, nephew! Let me finish. 
We would come to the marketplace, and there — 

Fyodor [to the young merchant] So you are his 
nephew ? 

The Young Merchant. Your Majesty, I am his 
grand-nephew — 

Kuriukoff. The executioners would already be wait- 
ing — 

The Young Merchant [again pulling his coat] 
Bogdan Semyonovitch ! What is the matter with you ? 

Fyodor [to the young merchant] Your face is familiar 
to me. 

Kuriukoff. With beheading axes — 

Fyodor [to the young merchant] Where have I seen 
you? 



28 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

The Young Merchant. At MikolFs, Almighty 
Tsar, we drank your health. There was a bear fight, I 
overpowered the bear, and Your Majesty was kind enough 
to treat me to a tumbler of wine. 

Kuriukoff. With beheading axes they waited — 

Fyodor. What is the trouble, grandfather? What 
are you talking about? What is there to remember? 
With axes — with axes! You do not give me a chance 
to say one word! [To the young merchant] So you 
are the fellow who vanquished the bear? I remember, 
I remember now. Irinushka! This is the young mer- 
chant of whom I spoke to you, you know? I believe 
your name is Sinielnikoff, isn't it? 

The Young Merchant. Krassilnikoff, Your Ma- 
jesty, Ivan Artyomoff Krassilnikoff. 

Fyodor. Yes, yes, yes! Krassilnikoff. Just imagine, 
Irinushka ! The bear came close to him, as close as you 
are to me now, Reverend Father; and he stepped for- 
ward this way, whirled his ax, and with one blow 
drove it into the bear's stomach! The bear struggles 
and screams "Ooh! Oooh!" And he kept on pawing 
him, Reverend Father, until his strength gave out and 
he tumbled over. 

Godunoff. Your Majesty, you wish to announce 
our reconciliation to these people. 

Fyodor [to Krassilnikoff] Didn't you also have a 
brother who beat Shakhovskoy in a fist fight? 

Krassilnikoff. He is my cousin, Your Majesty. 
His name is Nikita Golub. [Turning to his people] 
Nikita! Come here and present yourself to the Tsar! 

[Golub Junior steps forward and bows], 

Fyodor. Good day, Golub! How are you? How 
are your muscles, my boy? [To Shakhovskoy] Did you 
recognize him, Prince? 

Shakhovskoy. Would I fail to recognize such a 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 29 

friend? Why, Golub, you gave one of my ribs a neat 
little fracture. And thanks to your gentle treatment 
I was in bed three weeks. 

Golub Junior [bowing] I respectfully greet you, 
Prince Grigory! God willing, we shall meet by the 
river next Easter, and then perhaps it will be your 
turn to beat me. 

Shakhovskoy. I shall always be glad to take you on 
for a bout — mark my word ! 

Golub Junior. What will you stake on the out- 
come, Prince? 

Shakhovskoy. An embossed punch ladle ! And you ? 

Golub Junior. A sable cap! 

Irina [to Fyodor] Darling, do not allow them to 
fight. The time is not propitious. It may lead to evil 
consequences ! 

Fyodor. You think so, Irinushka! [To Shakhovskoy 
and Golub Junior'] Mind you don't fight seriously. And 
be careful not to hit each other below the belt! It is 
the deadliest spot. 

Ivan. Almighty Tsar, permit me to inform them why 
you bade them come. 

Fyodor. Well, well, all right — tell them. 

Ivan. Delegates! I wish to inform you that the 
noble Boris Fyodorovitch Godunoft and I, Prince Shou- 
isky, together with my brothers, have made peace, and 
have faithfully promised each other to forget the ancient 
enmity between our clans and ourselves and to live from 
now on in perfect peace and harmony! 

Golub Senior. Prince Ivan Petrovitch, how is that? 
We sided with you, and you deserted us? 

Ivan. I did not desert you! The chancellor has 
promised not to make a single move in the future with- 
out me, and I, as you know, shall always defend your 
interests ! 



3 o TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Krassilnikoff. Prince, take care! 

Golub Junior. Prince, do not make peace! 

Golub Senior. Prince Ivan Petrovitch, do not be- 
tray us! 

Ivan. Do not be afraid, my people! The chancellor 
has given his solemn vow that he will not touch a hair 
on our heads! 

A Voice [in the background] He will give his vow 
— yes! But will he keep it? 

Kuriukoff. Permit an old man, Ivan Petrovitch, to 
give you one warning in his own homely way! When 
your forefathers at the time of Alona Vassilievna, the 
Tsar's mother, bade us rise in the Telepnia-Oftchin 
feud, we were stout allies; and in this lay the strength 
of your grandfather, Vassily Vassilitch! Had he con- 
cluded peace with the Oftchins he would have perished, 
and we with him ! 

Golub Senior. There was no need to inflame us 
against your enemies, if you intended making peace with 
them, Prince Ivan Petrovitch ! 

Golub Junior. Prince Ivan Petrovitch! You are 
concluding peace at the price of our heads! 

Ivan [angrily] Be quiet, young dog! Go on with 
your fist-fighting, and let older and wiser men attend to 
matters of state! How dare you doubt his word when 
he kissed the Cross? Do you hear? He kissed the 
Cross ! 

Godunoff [in whisper to Kleshnin] Take note of 
their names and write them down. 

[In the meantime the Delegates, who have been con- 
versing among themselves, approach Fyodor in a body]. 

Delegates. Almighty Tsar! Be merciful! Do not 
let us perish! Almighty Tsar, be merciful! Protect us! 
Be merciful, Your Majesty! Do not forsake us! We 
are lost now. 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 31 

Fyodor. Why? What is the matter? What makes 
you say that? Against whom do you want me to pro- 
tect you? 

Golub Senior. Against your brother-in-law, Your 
Majesty! Against Godunoff! 

Golub Junior. Your brother-in-law will ruin us 
now completely! 

Fyodor. What nonsense! Who told you? My 
brother-in-law loves you! Tell them, Boris, that you 
love them! He will tell you so at once! He will ex- 
plain everything to you! I personally have not the time 
now! [Attempts to leave; the Delegates surround him']. 

Delegates. Almighty Tsar! Our only hope rests 
in you! We have done no harm! We were faithful 
allies of the Shouiskys, your own servants! Command 
Boris Fyodorovitch not to harm us! Order him! 

Fyodor. Yes, all right! Now let me go! I have 
no time! Tell Boris everything, everything! 

Delegates. Why, Your Majesty, how can we speak 
to Boris against his own self? Have mercy on us! 
Listen to us, Tsar ! Permit us — 

Fyodor [putting' his hands over his ears] Oh, oh, oh, 
oh, oh! Tell Boris everything! Tell Boris! I have 
no time to listen! Tell Boris everything! 

[Fyodor leaves, his hands over his ears. The Dele- 
gates look at one another in complete consternation]. 

CURTAIN 



ACT THREE. 

SCENE I. 

'Night. The garden of Ivans house. 

Vassilisa Volokhova {coming out of the house] 
What a dark night! Not a star to be seen! It is time 
for him to come! I wonder if that is not he standing 
there back of the fence. {Walks to the gate and speaks 
in a whisper] Prince! Prince! There is no one! Listen, 
isn't he coming? Those cursed nightingales with their 
noisy twitter make it impossible to hear if he is coming. 
I can't hear a thing! Something creaked! It's he, 
probably ! 

Volokhova [turns around and speaks in a whisper] 
Princess, — come — come ! 

Princess [in whisper] Where are you, Vassilisa 
Pankratievna? 

Volokhova. Here, darling. 

Princess. I cannot see you. 

Volokhova. Here, come over here! Give me your 
hand! Why, little dove, how you tremble! 

Princess. It is chilly. 

Volokhova. Why — no! It is quite warm. Smell 
the grass! And — oh — the scent of birch and ash- 
trees that drifts across the meadows from th$ monastery ! 
What a glorious spring night! But your little hand 
is like ice! 

32 






TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 33 

Princess. I had better go home! 

Volokhova. Blessed Virgin! What are you afraid 
of? Is he a stranger to you? Why — thank God — I 
myself brought you together ! 

Princess. Uncled house is filled with guests. What 
if one of them should stroll through the garden? 

Volokhova. What of it? Why should an engaged 
couple not be seen together? If after you are married 
you should want to become acquainted with some nice 
young lad, that would have to be done very circum- 
spectly. By the way, that is not so very unusual either. 
For a handful of gold coins anything can be done. 

Princess. Stop, Vassilisa Pankratievna! Aren't you 
ashamed of yourself? 

Volokhova. Why should I be ashamed of myself, 
little dove? Everything depends on money. For money 
girls marry, and men. For money brother fights brother 
and son fights father. No one can withstand it. 

Princess. Pankratievna! One moment! Didn't you 
hear something? 

Volokhova. It sounds like a wind-mill — 

Shakhovskoy [behind the fence, in an undertone] 
Ho! 

Volokhova. Well — at last ! [Runs to the gate and 
opens it] Come in, Prince! [Shakhovskoy is seen behind 
the fence, then leaps across it into the garden] Well — 
I declare ! I opened the gate for you — why jump ? 

Shakhovskoy. Bah — the gate! I am only sorry 
that the fence is so low. Why — I would leap the 
Kremlin walls to rush to the arms of my love. I am 
here at last! 

[About to put his arms around the Princess]. 

Volokhova. That's right! Kiss her! Caress her, 
while I hold her hands. 

Shakhovskoy [receding a few, steps] Do not be 



34 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

afraid, Princess! I will not approach you until you 
permit me to do so. 

Volokhova. Ah — my hawk-like Prince! I have 
kept my word ! And you — what you promised me — 

Shakhovskoy [throwing his purse to her] Here you 
are! 

Volokhova [weighing the purse] Heavens! How 
the coins clink! Too bad it is so dark!' 

Shakhovskoy [to Princess] Why did you turn away 
from me? Do you not care for me? 

Princess. You kept me waiting. 

Shakhovskoy. Were you frightened? 

Princess. Terribly frightened ! On such a night ! 

Shakhovskoy. Afraid of storms? 

Princess. And what about goblins? Or what-not? 
And there he stands and laughs ! 

Shakhovskoy. How can I help laughing? Goblins 
in a garden! 

Princess. Yes, it seems funny to you, but how 
about me? What if suddenly my uncle or brother should 
come out — what then ? You would be lost ! 

Shakhovskoy. How can I help myself since they 
do not let me be with you? Occasionally I have a 
glimpse of you, but never a chance for a word. 

Princess. Just listen to him ! And what would you 
like to say to me? 

Shakhovskoy. That you are the most lovely in all 
the world! That without you life would mean nothing 
to me! That I can hardly wait until we are married! 

Princess. Well — and what if my brother had re- 
fused your proposal for my hand? 

Shakhovskoy. Then I would have taken you away! 

Princess. And what if I hadn't come with you? 

Shakhovskoy. I would have kidnapped you ! 

Princess. And if I had escaped? 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 35 

Shakhovskoy. I would have caught you ! 

Princess. And if I had jumped into the river at 
Moscow. 

Shakhovskoy. I would have jumped after you! 

Princess. And what if the water-sprite had defended 
me? 

Shakhovskoy. I would have caught him by his 
beard and his walrus mustache! 

Princess. Ha-ha. His walrus mustache! [Both 
laugh.~\ 

Shakhovskoy. Why — you're laughing! And your 
laughter — oh — is just like the twitter of the night- 
ingales! My darling! When you laugh it seems as if 
the veil of night were lifted from this garden. Look 
yonder — a star has appeared — another — a third — 
still more ! They all came to listen to you ! They are 
shining in the pond ! Take care — they'll tell the water- 
sprite how you laugh at him ! 

Princess. Ha-ha! 

Shakhovskoy. There she goes! 

[A knock at the gate]. 

Princess. Oh — what is it? 

Volokhova. Some one is knocking at the gate. 

[She and the Princess hide behind the trees.} 

Shakhovskoy [goes to gate} Who is it? 

Voice [outside] Let me in — for God's sake! 

Shakhovskoy. Who is it? 

Voice. I! Krassilnikoff, a merchant! A terrible 
thing has happened ! Let me in — quickly ! 

[Shakhovskoy opens the gate — Krassilnikoff rushes in. 
His clothes are torn.] 

Krassilnikoff. Where is Prince Shouisky? Where 
is Prince Ivan Petrovitch? 

Shakhovskoy. What do you want him for? 

Krassilnikoff. Prince — Prince Ivan Petrovitch I 



I 



36 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

[Lights spring up in the windows of the house. Prince 
Ivan Petrovitch and his guests come down the steps into 
the garden. Shakhovskoy disappears behind the trees.] 

Ivan. What's all this noise? Who called me? 

Krassilnikoff. I did. Almighty Prince, have mercy! 
Befriend us! Archers came to our house, the Nogaieffs' 
and the Golubs' — they broke in — and arrested all those 
who were delegates at the Tsar's audience! 

Ivan. Who arrested them? 

Krassilnikoff. Kleshnin — by order of Godunoff. 

Ivan. What ? 

Krassilnikoff. I myself just escaped ! 

Ivan. By order of Godunoff? 

Krassilnikoff. Yes. 

Ivan. You actually mean to tell me that Godunoff 
had all the delegates arrested? 

Krassilnikoff. So Kleshnin told us — let this be 
a lesson to you about complaining of Godunoff to the 
Tsar! 

Golovin. What did I tell you, Prince? You see? 

Vassily Shouisky. You see, uncle? You did not 
wish to believe it? You would not take our advice 
and would not plead illness when the Tsar asked you 
to the audience! 

Ivan. It cannot be — it cannot be ! 

Krassilnikoff. Prince-Protector! People came to 
our houses to find out what happened. 

Ivan. He shall pay for this dearly! 

Golovin. First the merchants, and then — you just 
watch — and it will be our turn ! 

Andrei Shouisky. Conscienceless wretch! 

Mstislavsky. The brute! 

Ivan. He swore on the Cross — the Holy Cross! 

Andrei Shouisky. No wonder he maneuvered this; 
he wished to separate us from our people! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 37 

Vassily Shouisky. He wished to show all Moscow 
that people cannot rely upon us nor trust us, that we 
betray our allies ! 

Ivan. I suppose they are murmuring about us al- 
ready ! 

Krassilnikoff. Yes. Do not be angry, gentlemen, 
but as soon as the sleighs carried off our people, the 
neighbors gathered — and they did not speak kindly of 
you. 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. There are no two 
ways about it. We must arouse Moscow before we 
lose all our followers. 

Andrei Shouisky. We must send the alarm to all 
the suburbs. 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. Weapons must be dis- 
tributed amongst the merchants! 

Andrei Shouisky. On — to Boris* house — and kill 
him! 

Golovin. We must send a messenger to Uglitch and 
tell the Nagis to proclaim Dimitry emperor at once! 
The Nagis and their Uglitch followers must start for 
Moscow immediately! 

Ivan [severely] Be quiet! 

Vassily Shouisky [to Golovin'] You are talking non- 
sense ! 

Golovin. I have communicated with the Nagis. 
They are merely awaiting our signal. 

Ivan. You dared write to them? You dared insti- 
gate the people of Uglitch against the Tsar? You should 
pay for this with your head ! 

Vassily Shouisky. Uncle! He shall answer for 
his own guilt. But this is not the time for us to quarrel. 

Golovin. Almighty Prince, I stand guilty before you. 
But my guilt has become useful. In spite of everything 
we shall have to call the Tsarievitch to mount the throne. 



I 



38 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Vassily Shouisky [to Goloviii] You are courting 
misfortune, my friend. 

Dimitry Shouisky. Moscow must be aroused ! 

Vassily Shouisky. Oh — is that so — must Mos- 
cow be aroused — really? And what for, pray? Let us 
go to the Tsar as we decided yesterday, and demand that 
he divorce his wife. 

Dimitry Shouisky. It is too late. Yesterday His 
Holiness was our ally. To-day he has made peace with 
Boris. Yesterday the merchants trusted us. They no 
longer do to-day. 

Andrei Shouisky. Kill him! 

Vassily Shouisky. Yes — what a chance! He has 
doubled his bodyguard by now ! [ Takes out of his pocket 
written documents] Here are the signatures of His Holi- 
ness and the other clerics. And here are the signatures 
of all the nobles and all the merchants. They have all 
committed themselves — and now they cannot recede, no 
matter how much they desire to. 

Dimitry Shouisky. Do you imagine you can 
threaten Boris by showing him this document? 

Vassily Shouisky. It would be quite useless to 
show it to him. He is like a bullet in a gun, no longer 
dangerous after it has been discharged! We can arouse 
all the people against Boris if such is our intent. 

Andrei Shouisky. It would be best to kill him! 

Ivan. You all talk like madmen! Why should we 
separate the Tsar from the Tsarina? And why should 
we kill Boris? He betrayed himself by this double- 
dealing! He saved us the trouble of groping for shady 
means ! And now — the Lord be praised ! — we can 
destroy him with clean heart and hands! 

Dimitry Shouisky. What do you propose to do? 

Ivan. We should go to the Tsar and convict the 
betrayer ! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 39 

Vassily Shouisky. It would be labor lost, uncle. 
The Tsar will believe whatever Godunoff says. 

Ivan. The Tsar witnessed the oath ! Every one wit- 
nessed it! Godunoff has no way to clear himself! [To 
Krassilnikoff] Go, tell the merchants that the Tsar has 
ordered the release of their delegates, and that Boris 
will be dismissed this very day! [A bell chimes'] It is 
dawn! I shall go at once to the Tsar. I shall have to 
say but a few words. The lie is so evident. And when 
the sun rises in the East, Godunoff will be disgraced ! 
[Leaves. Krassilnikoff leaves, too. Silence.] 

Dimitry Shouisky. Well, gentlemen? 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. I doubt much good 
will come of it. 

Vassily Shouisky. Good? Well, hardly! He will 
return no wiser than he left. We are only losing time. 

Andrei Shouisky [to Vassily] Why did you not stop 
him, then? 

Vassily Shouisky. Whom? Uncle? You do not 
know him, evidently. Once he gets an idea into his 
head you cannot budge it. He reasons like a child. He 
says to himself that the very fact of his being right con- 
victs the one who is wrong. 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. What can we do? 
Let us wait till he returns. Then let us go ahead with 
this appeal as we intended. If we could only find a 
suitable Tsarina, we could insert her name. 

Mstislavsky. Prince Ivan Petrovitch intended con- 
sulting His Holiness on the subject. 

Vassily Shouisky. He did not have time to do 
it. They called him to the Tsar in order to make peace. 
We must find a suitable Tsarina before he returns, so 
that he need not worry about it. 

Mstislavsky. She must appeal to the Tsar; and, 
too, be one of us. Of such there are few. 



4 o TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Vassily Shouisky. I know of one. 

Mstislavsky. Who? Speak! 

Vassily Shouisky. Why — your own sister! 

Mstislavsky. Natasha? What are you talking 
about? Have you forgotten? She is engaged to 
Shakhovskoy! 

Vassily Shouisky. Engaged — not married ! Listen, 
Prince — our enterprise is not a jest. Everything de- 
pends upon the Tsarina's kin. Are we certain that the 
new Tsarina's clan will be allied to us? Your sister,, 
however, is one of us. 

Mstislavsky. True enough! No one is better 
suited than she. I myself thought of it already, and had 
we not given our word . . . 

Vassily Shouisky. Prince ! Don't I know how you 
gave your word? Shakhovskoy, that empty-headed 
ruffian, is not to your liking! He took you and your 
uncle unawares; he put on his best manners, bowed very 
low, made a great show of his friendship for you, swept 
your uncle off his feet — and you never said a word! 

Andrei Shouisky. I also said — why the hurry? 
Thank God, Natasha can wait. 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. It was Prince Ivan 
who settled too quickly. 

Mstislavsky. Yes, he was in too much of a hurry. 
Natasha could have been Tsarina. 

Vassily Shouisky. And if she were Tsarina you 
would be the Tsar's brother-in-law, only rather more 
honorable than Godunoff. 

Mstislavsky. Yes — more honorable. 

Vassily Shouisky. Then what is the difficulty? 

Mstislavsky. If only we had not given our 
word . . . 

Vassily Shouisky. Don't you let that worry you! 
Your word — really — as if you had not given us your 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 41 

word that no matter what happens, you would snatch 
the power from Boris' hands and give it to us ! 

Mstislavsky. How can I refuse him? 

Vassily Shouisky. Pick a quarrel with him! 

Mstislavsky. What will uncle say? 

Vassily Shouisky. He will return furious, because 
he will have failed with the Tsar, and he will be glad 
to make his niece Tsarina. 

Ivan Ivanovitch Shouisky. That is right. He 
would never break his promise of his own accord. But 
should you two quarrel there will be no time to find out 
who is right and who is wrong. 

Dimitry. And if Natasha is to be Tsarina we must 
hurry. 

Golovin [to Vassily] Pardon me, Prince Vassily 

Ivanovitch [He takes the same document, and 

while the others are conversing, he takes out of his belt a 
pen and ink-well and writes something on the paper.'] 

Vassily Shouisky [to Mstislavsky] Make up your 
mind, Prince ! 

Mstislavsky. If I could find a pretext for a quarrel ! 

Vassily Shouisky. Would you consent then? 

Mstislavsky. Surely ! 

Shakhovskoy [appears suddenly] Prince! Why not 
ask me first whether I am willing to relinquish my 
fiancee to some one else ? 

All. Where does he come from? How dared he 
hide here? 

[The Princess screams], 

Mstislavsky. That was my sister screaming! They 
were here together! [He walks off into the garden, and 
comes back leading the Princess by the hand. Volokhova 
appears] And here is the match-maker! Were you 
helping them? 

Volokhova. Have mercy! What are you saying? 



42 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

We just came down for a walk — and all of a sudden 
he jumped over the fence. Really! Really! 

Mstislavsky. So that is the way, little sister, in 
which you preserve our honor? Prince Grigory, this is a 
bad deed! I take back my promise! 

Shakhovskoy. You propose to give my fiancee in 
marriage to the Tsar, do you? Take care, Prince! It 
shall not be as long as I am alive! 

Volokhova [stepping on Shakhovskoy's foot] And 
why should it not be? Just look how excited he is! 
Just because he is engaged! Tsar Fyodor Ivanovitch is 
a better match than you! Scoundrel! Brute! Black- 
guard ! Thief ! 

Shakhovskoy. Begone, witch, begone! Step aside, 
everybody ! Princess ! Come to me ! She is mine, before 
God ! — I shall marry you at once — the first one of you 
who . . . [He takes out his dagger.] 

All. Sheathe your dagger! 

Vassily Shouisky [to Mstislavsky] What a fiance 
Natasha has! He raises his hand against his own flesh 
and blood! 

Mstislavsky. Sister, come to me! You heard 
me, Prince. Go away! Our covenant is broken! 

All. Prince, do not be a fool ! Go ! You heard 
him! A brother has jurisdiction over his sister. 

Shakhovskoy. That remains to be seen! Princess, 
tell me — do you really wish to be mine ? 

Mstislavsky. Be silent, sister! 

Princess. Oh — God ! 

Shakhovskoy. Princess! Will you submit to a 
forced marriage with the Tsar? 

Princess. No, no! I long to be yours! yours! 

Shakhovskoy. Then come with me ! 

Mstislavsky [to his sister] Not a step. 

Shakhovskoy. Come with me! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 43 

Princess. I am helpless! Don't you see? 

Golovin [to Shakhovskoy] Prince, give in. You gain 
nothing by obstinacy. Everything between you and them 
is at an end! Or do you perchance imagine that Ivan 
Petrovitch will forgive you for what you have done to- 
day? Everything is over. [Shows him the document] 
Look! Princess Mstislavskaya's name has been written 
here! 

Vassily Shouisky [to himself] Ah — What a clever 
rogue! 

Golovin. According to this document you yourself 
have agreed to be our ally! You cannot break your 
word now! 

Shakhovskoy [tearing the paper out of Golovin s 
hands'] Give it to me! 

Golovin. Stop! What is the matter with you? 
Stop! 

Shakhovskoy. It is in my hands now! 

All. Hold him! 

Shakhovskoy [threatening them with his dagger] 
Stand back! I shall kill the first man wh? steps for- 
ward! I am going straight to the Tsarina with this 
convicting evidence! [Runs away with the document.] 



SCENE II. 

Tsar Fyodors study. Enter Godunoff accompanied 
by the Deacon who puts on the table a sheaf of papers 
and two imperial seals, one large, the other small. 
Through another door comes Kleshnin. 

Godunoff [to Kleshnin] Have you attended to every- 
thing? 

Kleshnin. Everything, sir. We arrested them in 



44 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

their homes before daybreak. If only they would send 
us the written evidence from Uglitch! 

Godunoff. You will give it to me as soon as it 
arrives here. [Kleshnin leaves; enter Irina] Sister Tsarina, 
good morning! Has not the Tsar arisen yet? 

Irina, A short time ago the chaplain went to his 
bedroom with an ikon. 

[Enter Fyodor through another door, followed by the 
chaplain who carries an ikon.'] 

Fyodor. Good morning, Irinushka! Good morning, 
brother-in-law! I actually overslept and missed the 
morning service. I had such an unpleasant dream. It 
seemed to me that again I made peace between you, 
Boris, and Ivan Shouisky. He seemed to offer you his 
hand, and you did likewise. But instead of shaking his 
hand you seized him by the throat, and began choking 
him — then there was chaos. Tartars attacked us all 
of a sudden, and some terrible bears came and clawed us. 
I was saved by the Reverend Father * Iona. Well, 
Reverend Chaplain, is this dream a sinful one? 

Chaplain. No. It is not sinful. But just the 
same it is a dream of ill omen. 

Fyodor. I also dreamed of brother Dimitry, and 
he was crying. And something dreadful happened to 
him, but what I cannot remember. 

Chaplain. Tsar, you must pray more fervently be- 
fore you go to sleep! 

Fyodor. Brr! What an unpleasant dream ! [Notices 
the papers on the table"] And what is this, pray? Are 
you going to bother me again, brother-in-law? 

Godunoff. I shall not detain you very long, Your 
Majesty. I merely need your consent for a few things. 

Fyodor. Can't you settle these matters without me? 
I do not feel quite well. 

Godunoff. Two words only! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 4 5 

Fyodor. Father Chaplain, put to-day's ikon Saint on 
the shelf, and keep yesterday's until next year. Who is 
to-morrow's Saint? 

Chaplain. Saint John the Hermit. 

Fyodor. I shall re-read his life in the Book of the 
Saints. If only Boris will let me off! Now give me 
your blessing, and I shall attend to business. [The 
Chaplain gives him his blessing and leaves. Fyodor sits 
down. Godunoff presents the papers to him] Well, 
brother-in-law, what have you there? Come, give it 
to me. 

Godunoff [takes a few sheets from the sheaf] The 
Ukrainian chiefs are writing us that the chief of the 
Tartars is again driving his horde northward. 

Fyodor. Why — that is my dream, word for word! 
All we need now is that you should start to choke 
Shouisky ! 

Godunoff [spreading the papers out before him] 
Here, Your Majesty, are the instructions to our captains. 

Fyodor. Seal them! 

[Godunoff hands the papers to the Deacon who puts 
the imperial seal on them. Godunoff gives another paper 
to the Tsar.] 

Godunoff. And this, Your Majesty, is an appeal 
from the Tsar of Iver who begs you to take him under 
your protection. 

Fyodor. The Tsar of Iver? Where is his country? 

Godunoff. It is bordered by the kingdom of the 
Kizilbash tribesmen, and it is rich in cereals, silks, wine, 
and expensive horses of fine lineage. 

Fyodor. And he appeals to me? You heard, 
Irinushka? You heard? What an extraordinary fel- 
low! What has entered his head? 

Godunoff. The Shah of Persia and the Turkish 
Sultan are worrying him. 



46 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Fyodor. Poor Fellow! Is he a Christian? 

Godunoff. Yes. 

Fyodor. Well, then, let us immediately declare him 
our subject! And, do you know, brother-in-law, we 
ought to see about a gift for him. Irinushka, what could 
we send him? 

Godunoff. Before we do anything else, I would sug- 
gest that we proclaim this document throughout Moscow. 

Fyodor. Very well — go ahead and seal it. [Deacon 
seals it~\ And what is this? 

Godunoff. These are instructions to Prince Troie- 
kuroff for his course with the Polish Diet when they 
elect their King. You know, Your Majesty, that through 
your generosity and since the death of Batur, a great 
many Polish nobles have become your friends and stand 
ready to make you their King. 

Fyodor. I? No, no, brother-in-law! What can I 
do with Poland's crown? I have enough worries of my 
own. What next? And what has got into all these 
people? Here is that Tsar of Iver making me a present 
of his land, and there are the Polish barons trying to 
force their Kingdom on me ! Well and good — the 
Tsar of Iver at least is a Tsar. But the Poles are 
Catholics, foes of Russia! 

Godunoff. That is just why you should not reject 
their offer, Your Majesty. Thus can you make faithful 
subjects from former enemies. 

Fyodor. Do you think so ? All right. Seal it. Now 
then — is this all? 

Godunoff. Here are the appeals of two noblemen 
who during your father's reign ran away to Lithuania. 
They are asking your permission to return. 

Fyodor. Who is preventing them? They are wel- 
come. Do I understand that a great number of them 
ran away? My opinion, brother-in-law, is as follows: 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 47 

We should make Russia so pleasant that people would 
not prefer living abroad. Then there will be no reason 
for their running away from us. Do you know what? 
You ought to write to all of our subjects who are in 
Lithuania that I will give money and land to all who 
wish to return. 

Godunoff. I was thinking of it, Your Majesty, and 
have already prepared a document to that effect. 

Fyodor. Very well. Seal that, too! Is that all? 

Godunoff. That is all, Your Majesty. 

[The Deacon takes the seals, gathers all the docu- 
ments, and leaves.'] 

Fyodor. Well, brother-in-law, I will not detain you 
any longer. And I wish that you, Irinushka, would 
open the book of the Saints and read to me the life of 
Saint John the Hermit. 

Irina. Permit me, Fyodor, to show you first an ap- 
peal. I have received a letter from Uglitch from the 
widowed Tsarina Maria Fyodorovna. With tears she 
implores you to permit her to return to Moscow with 
her son, Dimitry. 

Fyodor. Why — Irinushka ! You know yourself 
that I have been asking Boris this very thing for a long 
time. I would be glad . . . 

Irina. Just as you pardoned those refugee nobles in 
Lithuania, so I thought that you might permit your 
ster>brother and your step-mother to return. 

Fyodor. Irinushka, my dear, it would make me happy 
to have them come back, [pointing to Godunoff] Tell it 
to him! 

Irina. I know, Fyodor, that you wisely entrusted 
my brother with the management of the Kingdom. None 
knows more about statecraft than he. But this is not 
an affair of statecraft. This is your private family mat- 
ter. And you alone should be the judge. 



48 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Fyodor. Boris, you heard what she said? It is the 
truth. You actually do not allow me to take a single 
independent step. What are things coming to? I wish 
to have Dimitry return. You know when I take this 
tone, I never reconsider my word. 

Godunoff [to Irina] Sister, you interfered unwisely 
in a matter which you do not understand. [To Fyodor] 
The Tsarievitch cannot be brought back. 

Fyodor. What? What? Have I not told you that 
I want him back? 

Godunoff. Permit me, Your Majesty . . . 

Fyodor. No. This is too much ! I am not a child ! 
It is . . . [Begins to pdce up and down the room.'] 

Steward [opening the door] Prince Ivan Petrovitch 
Shouisky ! 

Godunoff [to steward] His Majesty cannot receive 
him to-day. 

Fyodor. Who told you so? Let him come in! 
[Continues to pace up and down] I am not even allowed 
to be master in my own house! [Enter Ivan"] Good 
morning, Prince! Thank you for coming. You are 
just the man I want to see — I want to talk to you 
about my brother, Dimitry. 

Ivan. Your Majesty, I, too, have wished to speak 
to you for a long time about the Tsarievitch Dimitry. 
But first I must tell you about your brother-in-law. 

Fyodor. What? About Boris? 

Ivan. Yes. 

Fyodor. What has he done? 

Ivan. He has broken his oath. 

Fyodor. What are you saying, Prince? 

Ivan. Your Majesty, you heard how he swore not 
to lay a finger on my adherents? 

Fyodor. Of course I did. Well — ? 

Ivan. This very evening he had the merchants whom 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 49 

you received in audience arrested and sent nobody knows 
where. 

Fyodor. One moment, one moment ! There is some- 
thing wrong here. 

Ivan. Ask him! 

Fyodor. Is it true, brother-in-law? 

Godunoff. Yes. 

Irina. Why — brother ? 

Fyodor. Are you not afraid of God, brother-in-law, 
that you could do such a thing? 

Godunoff. I found that it was inadvisable to leave 
them in Moscow. 

Fyodor. And what about your oath? 

Godunoff. I swore not to punish them for past 
deeds, and I did not! They were to-day arrested be- 
cause after we made peace, they tried again to stir up 
strife between the Shouiskys and myself, and you your- 
self witnessed it, Your Majesty! 

Fyodor. That is not true. But even so you should 
not . . . 

Godunoff. I am surprised that Prince Ivan Petro- 
vitch is siding with those who attempted so shamelessly 
to disrupt our new-found peace. 

Ivan. And I am surprised, sir, that you dare try 
to justify yourself by such a sinful lie! Your Majesty! 
Was there not mocking laughter in his heart, laughter 
at you and me, yesterday when he kissed the Blessed 
Cross that was in His Holiness* hands? 

Fyodor. No, brother-in-law, no! You did not act 
right! We did not thus interpret your words! 

Ivan. Your Majesty, what will all Russia think of 
you when they hear that he trampled under foot his 
oath which you sanctified? 

Fyodor. This shall not happen! The merchants 
shall be released at once. 



50 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Ivan. Is that all, Your Majesty? And he who 
deceived you and who made me appear dishonest before 
the whole nation, will he continue to manage the affairs 
of the country as previously? 

Fyodor. One moment, Prince. . . . There was no 
deception here. . . . You merely misunderstood each 
other. . . . And, besides, you have already agreed that 
you and he will share in the discussion of matters of 
state. 

Ivan. He gave oath to that effect. With this under- 
standing I gave him my hand. But you see yourself 
how he has kept his oath! Almighty Tsar, beware of 
him! Do not entrust him with the rule of the land 
nor with affairs of your own family! You wished to 
speak to me about your brother. Do you know whom 
he sent to Uglitch with your brother? Do you know 
who he is? He is a traitor! And a thief! He is a 
perjurer who was saved from the gallows by Godunoff. 
Do not let the successor to the throne remain in such 
hands ! 

Fyodor. No, no, Prince, rest assured regarding this 
matter. I have already told Boris that I want Dimitry 
here with me. 

Godunoff. And I replied to His Majesty that he 
must remain in Uglitch. 

Fyodor. What? You are arguing again? 

Godunoff. Your Majesty, permit me to tell 
you. . . . 

Fyodor. No, I shall not permit you! Am I Tsar 
or am I not? 

Godunoff. Permit me to explain to you. . . . 
Please listen! . . . 

Fyodor. I do not wish to listen. Am I Tsar or am 
I not? Am I Tsar or am I not? 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 51 

Godunoff. You are the Tsar. . . . 

Fyodor. Enough! That is all! You heard, Irina? 
You heard, Prince? He has admitted that I am Tsar! 
He can argue no longer. Hereafter he will remain 
silent! [To Godunoff] Do you know what a Tsar is? 
Do you know? Do you remember my father, the late 
Tsar? You, you ... do not worry, Prince. I shall 
have Dimitry come here from Uglitch. Also my step- 
mother and her brothers — I shall send for them all ! 
What does this mean, anyhow? What is it? He is 
making me feverish! Just look, Irina! [Walks about 
the room, and stops in front of Shouisky and Godunoff] 
Now, then, since I made peace between you, compose 
your anger! Come, Prince. Come, brother-in-law! 
That is enough! Kiss each other! Come! 

Ivan. Almighty Tsar! I cannot understand you! 
You saw, you heard from his own lips that he is play- 
ing with his oath ! You yourself countermanded his last 
deed. You agreed that your brother must not remain 
in the hands of his companion! On the other hand, you 
leave the kingdom in his hands? Almighty Tsar — 
either one of two things! Either I am a cheat and then 
you must punish me for deceiving you — or you must 
dismiss Godunoff for treason ! 

Fyodor. Why — I have already made him apologize 
to you for his wrongs. What more da you desire? 
Nothing pleases him! Did you hear, Irina? 

Irina. Prince Ivan Petrovitch, it seems to me . . . 

Godunoff. Let him alone, sister! I myself shall 
rid the Tsar of the difficulty of deciding between him 
and me. Almighty Tsar! As long as you trusted me, 
I was useful to you. Now that you trust me no longer, 
I am worthless to you. Prince Shouisky told the truth : 
one of us must give up his privileges. You yourself made 
the choice, Your Majesty, when you listened to his 



52 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

accusations with such kindly patience, while you cut me 
short. Permit me to resign. 

Fyodor. What is the matter? What is the matter? 

Godunoff. To whom, Your Majesty, do you com- 
mand me to transfer my office? 

Fyodor. Why — you misunderstood me! Heavens! 
See what you have done, Prince! 

Godunoff. No, Your Majesty, I understand your 
wishes. You wish to recall the very people whom I 
sent away in order to keep peace in the city. You wish 
to bring to Moscow the Nagis and the Tsarievitch, al- 
though there are grave reasons why they should remain 
in Uglitch. Since such is your decision, Almighty Tsar, 
it must be carried out. But I refuse the responsibility! 

Fyodor. I did not know, Boris, that there were such 
important reasons. Since you . . . 

Ivan. With your permission, Almighty Tsar! 
[Turns to leave.] 

Fyodor. Prince! Prince! Where are you going? 

Ivan. I am going away because I do not wish to 
see my Tsar bring disgrace upon himself. 

Fyodor. Well, Prince! We will settle every- 
thing. . . . 

Ivan. Fyodor Ivanitch, Emperor of All the Russias! 
I feel ashamed of you — forgive me! [Leaves.] 

Fyodor. Prince! Prince! Oh, God — he is gone! 
And this one proposes to leave me! Brother-in-law! 
You . . . you were jesting! What is going to happen 
to my country? 

Godunoff. Almighty Tsar, how can I serve you if 
you tie my hands? 

Fyodor. No, brother-in-law, no! Well — then? 
Do you consent? Yes, brother-in-law, yes? 

Godunoff. Given this provision, Almighty Tsar, I 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 53 

agree. But remember that only thus can I continue 
to serve you. 

Fyodor. Thank you, brother-in-law, thank you! Do 
you know — now we should pacify Shouisky ! Why, he 
misunderstood you. I, too, misunderstood you yesterday. 

[Enter Kleshnin, hands Godunoff some papers and 
leaves. Godunoff looks them over and gives them to 
Fyodor.] 

Godunoff. Your Majesty, first read this report from 
Uglitch, and a secret letter written to the Nagis by 
Mikhailo Golovin, an ally of the Shouiskys. Bitiagovsky 
sent it here by messenger. 

Fyodor [reading the paper] Well, what of it? 
"In a drunken condition abusive language is often 
heard. ..." Well — is there any one who does not use 
abusive language when he is drunk? "Money is being ex- 
torted through threats — " Perhaps you did not assign 
them enough, brother-in-law. You know, they are more 
accustomed to live under my father's rule. You should 
give them more. Well — what else? "And they boast that 
with the help of the Shouiskys — a Tsar . . ." Why, 
it is impossible! 

Godunoff. Read over Golovin's letter ! 

Fyodor [reads, mumbling to himself, stops and shakes 
his head] Drive me from the throne? God! Why can't 
they wait a little? Every one knows that I cannot live 
forever — to wit, the fact that I have a pain in my side ! 
If only they could give Dimitry a chance to grow up! 
How gladly I would relinquish the throne to him! On 
the other hand, if they now depose me by force and 
suddenly put a minor on the throne, there would have 
to be a regent, chaos, confusion, ruin throughout the 
empire — that will not do ! 

Godunoff. Now you see, Your Majesty, why the 
Nagis cannot be permitted to return to Moscow. 



54 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Fyodor. This will not do! 

Godunoff. You are thinking about it too imper- 
sonally, while great danger threatens the nation. There 
is no time to lose. We must settle this matter in a 
drastic way. 

Fyodor. What matter, brother-in-law? 

Godunoff. Your Majesty, from Golovin's letter 
you can see that the Shouiskys have opened negotiations 
with the Nagis. You must order immediately that the 
Shouiskys be closely watched. 

Fyodor. Watched? What? Ivan Petrovitch 
watched? And then what? 

Godunoff. And then, if he cannot clear himself, he 
must be . . . 

Fyodor. What must he be? 

Godunoff. Executed ! 

Fyodor. What£ Prince Ivan Petrovitch? The one 
who was here a short while ago? The one with whom 
I shook hands just now? 

Godunoff. Yes, Your Majesty. 

Fyodor. The one between whom and you I made 
peace yesterday? 

Godunoff. That very man! 

Fyodor. He? Executed with his brothers? 

Godunoff. With all those who are implicated in 
this treason! 

Fyodor. And what about the Nagis? 

Godunoff. Without the Shouiskys, Your Majesty, 
they are harmless. 

Fyodor. Brother-in-law, do you propose executing 
those who saved our nation? 

Godunoff. The ones who are threatening your 
throne ! 

Fyodor. And all this because the Nagis threatened 
me when they were drunk ? Because somebody took into 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 55 

his head to write to them, probably without the knowl- 
edge even of the Shouiskys? Brother-in-law, tell me, 
are you willing to continue serving me only on condition 
that I make you a present of their heads? 

Godunoff. Only on this condition, Your Majesty, 
can I answer to you for the welfare of the nation. Since 
you refuse to trust me, once and for all, permit me to 
resign and take the responsibility of government upon 
your own shoulders. 

Fyodor [after a long struggle^ Yes, brother-in-law, 
yes! In this matter, I, myself, shall accept the responsi- 
bility! You see, I know that I am not able to take the 
reins of government into my own hands. What manner 
of a Tsar am I? It is not difficult to deceive me and 
cheat me in all affairs. In one thing only I will not 
be deceived: when I must decide whether a thing is 
black or white — no, I will not be deceived then ! This, 
brother-in-law, does not require wisdom but merely fair- 
ness! Go in peace. I shall not detain you. I rely on 
God's help. I do not believe in the treason of the Shou- 
iskys; and, even if I did believe it, I would not send 
them to their death. Enough Russian blood was shed in 
my father's time — God forgive him ! 

Godunoff. But, Your Majesty . . . 

Fyodor. I know what you are going to say — that, 
because of this, the kingdom will be thrown into con- 
fusion? Is that not so? Let God's will be done! I 
did not want the throne. Apparently it was God's will 
that a Tsar devoid of wisdom should sit on Russia's 
throne. Such as I am I must remain. Mine is not the 
right to speculate cunningly on what the future may 
bring. 

Godunoff. But, Your Majesty, think . . . 

Fyodor. What is there to think? What is there 
to think, brother-in-law? The matter is settled. I do 



56 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

not need your advice. You are free. Please leave me 
now! I need to be alone, brother-in-law. 

Godunoff. I am going, Your Majesty. [He crosses 
slowly in the direction of the door, but before opening 
it, turns around and looks at Fyodor. Fyodor allows 
him to leave and embraces Irina.] 

Fyodor. Irinushka! My love! Perhaps you are 
angry with me because I did not call him back? 

Irina. No, Fyodor, no! You did right! Just fol- 
low the voice of your guardian angel, and you will not 
err! 

Fyodor. Yes, Irinushka, I think so, too. What can 
I do? I was not born a Tsar! 

Irina. Why, you are trembling, and your heart is 
beating so fast? 

Fyodor. My side aches slightly. Irinushka, I will 
not go to church. It is not an unpardonable sin, is it, 
to miss just one service? I would rather go to my bed- 
room. I shall lie down and rest for about an hour. Give 
me your arm to lean on. That is right! Come, Irinushka! 
I place my trust in God. He will not abandon us! 
[Leaves, leaning on Irinushka 's arm.'] 

CURTAIN. 



ACT FOUR. 

SCENE I. 

The house of Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky. 
Ivan and Princess Mstislavskaya. Left, a table with 
tumblers, behind which stands Starkoff. 

Ivan. Do not cry, Natasha. You see, I am not 
angry. I forgave you. The old woman led you into 
mischief, and God punished us. 

Princess. Uncle, what will happen to him? 

Ivan. To Grigory? Why, he will probably run 
away into the mountains, if he intends to betray us. 
Twice I sent for him to consult with me, but he could 
not be found. What a hot-headed fellow! Had he 
waited for my return, all this would not have happened ! 

Princess. Would you have forgiven him, uncle? 
You would not have forced me to marry the Tsar ? 

Ivan. I would be sorry to see you the wife of such a 
man ! I would have chided you both. But I would not 
have broken my word. That meddlesome brother of 
yours ! 

Princess. He will not go to the Tsarina! He will 
not betray us! 

Ivan. I myself do not believe that he will betray us. 
But, whether he does or not, we shall not wait. Before I 
returned from my audience with the Tsar, everything 
was already settled! 

Princess. Do not torture me — tell me, in God's 
name, what you have decided ! 

57 



58 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Ivan. It is not a girl's concern, Natasha — you will 
learn later on. 

Princess. Uncle, you look so downcast — and so 
solemn — only with me are you as kindly and tender 
as you used to be. But I am afraid to look into your 
eyes. I am trying to read in them the thoughts that 
worry you. 

Ivan. Our clansmen will be here very soon. I have 
some matters to talk over with them. Go to your room, 
Natasha. 

Princess. Let me remain with you! Allow me to 
receive your guests! 

Ivan. It cannot be done, Natasha. 

Princess [to herself] Dear Saints! There is a ter- 
rible foreboding in my heart! 

[Leaves. Enter the Brothers of Ivan, the Merchants 
Goluh and Krassilnikoff , with the other followers of the 
Shouiskys. They all stop before Ivan in an attitude of 
respectful silence. Ivan looks at them for a few seconds 
in silence. ~\ 

Ivan [sitting down] You are all aware of the turn 
affairs have taken. We can be arrested any moment. 
Do you all wish to perish, or follow me? 

All. Prince-Protector, command whatever you wish. 
We shall follow. 

Ivan. Then listen to me! Prince Dimitry! Go 
immediately to Shoui! Call together all the nobles and 
clerics and merchants, to the place of execution, and 
announce to them that Tsar Fyodor has lost his mind 
and can no longer rule, and that we have chosen the 
next-in-blood, Dimitry Ivanovitch, to be our Tsar. We 
shall give him our fealty. Prince Andrei ! I am sending 
you to Riazan. Gather the troops and lead them on 
to Moscow! Prince Fyodor! Go to Nizhni. Prince 
Ivan ! You go to Suzdal ! Baron Golovin ! I have chosen 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 59 

you to go to Uglitch. There, with the Nagis, you will 
proclaim Dimitry Tsar, and when the bells peal, you will 
start for Moscow with flying banners. I, with Mstis- 
lavsky and Prince Vassily, will remain here to keep close 
watch over Godunoff. [To his aide-de-camp] Fediuk! 
Bring the glasses ! I drink to everybody's health and suc- 
cess! Long live Tsar Dimitry Ivanovitch! 

All [with the exception of Vassily Shouisky] Long 
live Tsar Dimitry Ivanovitch! 

Vassily Shouisky. Dear uncle — do not be angry 
with me for saying so — but did you not decide rather 
hurriedly? Just remember! Only this morning you 
refused to come to this same conclusion! 

Ivan. I was a fool. To whom did I go to make 
complaint of Godunoff. To the Tsar? There is no 
Tsar in Russia! 

Vassily Shouisky. Think it over, Prince! 

Ivan. I have considered everything — Golub ! I 
stand guilty before you. You are right. That Tartar 
fooled me like a little boy. He knew the Tsar better! 
How did you manage to escape? 

Golub. On the way, Prince, I frayed the ropes that 
bound my hands, and, when we crossed the Krassnoye, 
I knocked down two archers, jumped from the wagon 
into the water, and swam away. 

Ivan. You came back in time, This very day you 
and KrassilnikofE and the other young men will arouse 
the merchants! 

Krassilnikoff. You may depend upon us, Almighty 
Prince ! One and all we will rise against Boris ! 

Ivan. Be ready as soon as the sun goes down. Enter 
the Kremlin when the great Tsar-Pushka booms from 
the walls! [To his aide-de-camp.] Fediuk, fill the 
loving-cup! To everybody's health! [He drinks and 
passes the cup J] 



60 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Merchants. Prince-Protector! You are our 
father! We shall stand by you to the very end! May 
the Lord God help you in destroying Boris! And long 
live Tsar Dimitry ! 

Ivan. Amen! [The Merchants leave. Ivan ad- 
dresses Mstislavsky"] Prince, you must select at once five 
hundred trustworthy citizens. Let them go and pay 
homage to Tsar Dimitry, and, as soon as it grows dark, 
lead them to the Kremlin. In the meantime I and Prince 
Vassily will go to Boris' house and seize him. 

Vassily Shouisky. Oh — Uncle! You know that 
I am not a coward, nor am I afraid of dangerous enter- 
prises — but still, think it over ! 

Ivan. If we consider too much, we shall accomplish 
nothing. There is no need for further deliberation. Our 
course of action is clear! 



SCENE II. 

The home of Godunoff. 

Godunoff walks up and down excitedly. Kleshnin 
leans against the tile-stove. 

Godunoff. I have been dismissed! Fyodor himself 
seems intent upon putting an end to my activities. I 
will not permit that to happen! The Nagis have been 
waiting a long time for my downfall. They will be- 
come still more aggressive when they hear of it. They 
will now stop at nothing. Dimitry is the flag around 
which they will gather, together with the Tsar's and 
my own foes. It is to be expected. Riots and chaos 
will spread from Uglitch like a conflagration. Bitia- 
govsky — I cannot rely on him — will betray me unless 
I have him watched. I am compelled ... I cannot do 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 61 

otherwise . . . they are forcing my hand ... [To 
Kleshnin] Do you know this woman well? 

Kleshnin. She is useful in many ways! Fortune- 
teller, healer, match-maker, procuress, a good Christian, 
and on rather friendly terms with the devil — in a word : 
an extraordinary old woman ! She is here already. Shall 
I call her in? 

Godunoff. Never mind! Tell her to watch the 
Tsarievitch, and let her listen to what the Nagis say. 
What was the Tsar doing when you left him ? 

Kleshnin. He was bending over a pile of papers 
which you had given orders to have brought to him. 
He scratched his head — poor fellow — he could not 
make head or tail of them ! 

Godunoff. He will not be able to manage without 
me. [Musingly] I remember again what was foretold 
me on the day of Tsar Ivan's death. It is now coming 
true. The one who caused my downfall, my foe, he is 
in Uglitch ! [Loudly , pulling himself together] Tell her 
to watch the Tsarievitch carefully ! 

Kleshnin. Do you not want to see her, Little 
Father? 

Godunoff. Never mind! [To himself] "Weak, yet 
powerful . . . innocent, yet guilty . . . himself, yet not 
himself . . . and then — killed !" [To Kleshnin] Tell 
her to watch the Tsarievitch carefully! [Leaves.] 

Kleshnin [alone] To watch him! Hm! Don't I 
know what is really your heart's desire! Why not? I 
shall take this sin upon my conscience! I am neither 
fastidious nor lazy. As long as he is alive the Shouiskys 
and the Nagis will give us no peace. See, how his wings 
were clipped! I did not expect this outbreak from 
Fyodor Ivanovitch! Naturally, he will not be able to 
manage . . . and if in the meantime something should 
happen . . . ? [Opens door] Come in, woman ! 



62 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Volokhova [enters j in her hand a holy wafer] Pro- 
tect us, Blessed Virgin! I greet you, sir. I brought you 
a holy wafer from the Church of the Three Saints to 
bless you ! 

Kleshnin [in a kindly manner] Sit down here, 
please, little dove ! Did they tell you why I sent for you ? 

Volokhova [sitting down] They told me, sir, they 
told me: the noble Godunoff wishes to send away the 
Tsarievitch's nurse, and have me take her place. You 
may rest assured ! I shall watch over him as if he were 
the apple of my eye. Sleeping and waking, eating and 
drinking, I shall watch over him! 

Kleshnin. Have you ever before been a nurse? 

Volokhova. I do not wish to lie, sir. I was never 
a nurse. But I love children very much. A child is 
like one of God's angels! I nursed my own son and 
kept him under my wing until he became twenty years 
of age, until the year of the plague. Only during that 
year was I afraid to keep him with me, 

Kleshnin. Why so, little dove? 

Volokhova. At such a time misfortunes can happen 
easily. Suddenly the epidemic may attack one, and be- 
fore you know it one is dead and buried and forgotten 
by all. You can take no chances at such a time. 

Kleshnin. Are you a professional match-maker now, 
little dove? 

Volokhova. Yes, noble, sir, I am a match-maker. 
It is sinful to praise one's self. And yet, there are few 
weddings celebrated in Moscow without my help. 

Kleshnin. What was the last wedding you ar- 
ranged ? 

Volokhova. Prince Shakhovskoy and Princess 
Mstislavskaya, sir. 

Kleshnin. Is she not the one whom you wanted 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 63 

to offer to the Tsar yesterday, in spite of the fact that 
the Tsarina is still alive? 

Volokhova. God forbid! Who is the scoundrel 
who told you so? The dog, the thief, the slanderer! 
May his tongue swell! May he grow blind! 

Kleshnin [severely] Silence, old woman! Silence! 
We know everything! The late Tsar, Ivan Vassilitch, 
whose memory we reverence, would have ordered you, 
witch, to be burned at the stake over a slow fire! But 
the noble Boris Fyodorovitch Godunoff is magnanimous. 
Instead of punishing you he will reward you, if you will 
know how to fulfill your duty by the Tsarievitch. 

Volokhova. I know how, Little Father! I know 
how, sir! You may depend on me! I shall not allow 
a hair on his head to be harmed! I shall take care of 
him well and faithfully! 

Kleshnin. But if through no fault of yours some- 
thing should happen to him. . . . 

Volokhova. Why, sir, what can happen to him as 
long as I am here? 

Kleshnin [meaningly] He will not hold you re- 
sponsible for it! [Volokhova looks at him in astonish- 
ment] Listen, old woman! No one has power over 
life or death — and he is an epileptic ! 

Volokhova. What do you mean, Little Father? 
What is it? I cannot get it through my head! 

Kleshnin. You will, presently! 

Volokhova. Yes, yes, yes, yes! Quite so, sir, quite 
so! God's will must be done! If I am not held re- 
sponsible, anything and everything may happen, of 
course! We must all bow to God's will, sir! 

Kleshnin. You may go, witch! I shall see you 
before I go. But remember — money, lots of it — or 
jail! 

Volokhova. Why, sir ! Why prison ? Be generous, 



64 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

and everything is settled. Just permit me to take my 
son along! 

Kleshnin. You may do so. Go now! 

Volokhova. I beg your pardon, sir. You shall be 
pleased with us. Of course! Of course! These are 
uncertain times, where anything may happen ! God only 
is strong and all-powerful, the Lord only! And our 
affair is settled! [Leaves.] 

Servant [announcing] Fediuk Starkoff! 

Kleshnin. Show him in! 

[Enter Starkoff.] 

scene III. 

The Tsarina's apartment. 

Fyodor sitting, busy with a pile of papers, wipes the 
perspiration from his face. In front of him are the two 
imperial seals, one big and the other small. Trina goes 
to him and puts her hand over his shoulder. 

Irina. You should rest a little, Fyodor. 

Fyodor. I cannot understand a thing ! Boris selected 
these matters for me to attend to on purpose! The 
only intelligible paper that I have come across is a letter 
from our messenger in Vienna. The Emperor is sending 
me six monkeys as a present. Irinushka, I will send 
them on to Dimitry. 

Irina. You will not have them sent here ? 

Fyodor. You see, Irinushka, if Boris were willing 
to remain . . . 

Irina. Have you hot yet decided who is to replace 
him? 

Fyodor. Why, you yourself said that it is better 
to wait. You thought that he will offer to make peace. 
But instead he sent me this pile of papers. I simply 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 65 

exhausted myself, trying to understand them, and now 
there is another misfortune : I sent for Prince Ivan Shou- 
isky to help me with these matters, and he replied that 
he is ill and unable to come. He is probably stubborn. 
I sent for him again, saying that there is a matter of 
importance of which I wish to tell him. [Kleshnin 
enters] Ah, is that you, Petrovitch? Where do you 
come from? 

Kleshnin. From a sick man's bedside. 

Fyodor. From where? 

Kleshnin. From the bedside of your sick servant, 
Godunoff. 

Fyodor. Is he sick? 

Kleshnin. How can he help being sick when, in 
reward for all his devotion, you chased him away like 
a dog? I am glad that you are well! 

Fyodor. Why, I . . . 

Kleshnin. What is the use of talking? Little 
Father, from your early childhood you were harsh and 
austere, and of unfeeling heart. When you make up 
your mind to do a thing, you carry it out though heaven 
and earth crash together! 

Fyodor. I know myself, Petrovitch, that I am 
austere. 

Kleshnin. In this respect you are just like your 
father. 

Fyodor. I know it. But is it possible that Boris will 
refuse to return if I acknowledge that I was at fault? 

Kleshnin. He does not demand that much. Just 
command me to seal this order concerning a careful 
watch to be kept on the Shouiskys — and he will again 
serve you. 

Fyodor. What? Does he still suspect them? 

Kleshnin. Your Majesty! It is not a matter of 
suspicion but of plain fact ! Starkoff, Prince Ivan's aide- 



66 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

de-camp, has just informed us that to-day Prince Ivan 
has decided to proclaim your little brother Tsar, while 
he intends to drive you from the throne before sunrise. 
Why, Little Father, you can ask Starkoff yourself! 

Fyodor. Oh — all these rumors! This is the first 
time I hear StarkofFs name while Shouisky's name is 
known everywhere like the pealing of a bell. Do you 
expect me to believe this Starkoff in preference to 
Shouisky? 

Kleshnin. Believe or not, I am telling you this: 
if you do not order them all at once to . . . 

Steward {announcing] Prince Ivan Petrovitch Shou- 
isky ! 

Kleshnin. What? He here? 

Fyodor [joyfully] He came! He came, Irinushka! 

Kleshnin. Give orders to have them carefully 
watched ! 

Fyodor. Shame on you, Petrovitch! [To the stew- 
ard] Ask him to come in. [To Kleshnin] I shall ask 
him in your presence. [Enter Ivan] Good day, Prince 
Ivan ! Just imagine, an accusation has been made — 
[Ivan becomes embarrassed] But I do not believe it. 
I want you to tell me now that you are innocent of 
any plotting against me, as you have always been loyal 
in the sight of all the world. Your word will satisfy me. 

Ivan. Your Majesty . . . 

Fyodor. Understand me, Prince. I do not doubt 
you. I merely want . . . 

Kleshnin. No, Little Father, allow me! If this is 
what you intend to do, then let me ask him. Prince- 
Protector! Can you swear by the blessed ikon over 
yonder that you did not intend to betray your Tsar? 

Ivan. I do not recognize your right to question me. 

Fyodor. Prince, it is not he — it is I who am asking 
you! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 67 

Kleshnin. I shall take down the ikon at once! 

Fyodor. There is no need of ikons! Tell me on 
your word of honor. Well, Prince? 

Ivan. Spare me! 

Irina [who has been watching Ivan steadily'] My 
Lord, why offend with such a question one whose virtues 
are a household word? Do not ask him. Just exact his 
solemn oath that he will remain in the future as true 
and faithful as he has been in the past. 

Fyodor. No, Irina, I want to shame this man. Tell 
me on your word of honor, Prince! Were you plotting 
against me? Why don't you speak? 

Kleshnin. On your word of honor! Do you hear, 
Prince? [To himself] It would have been more bind- 
ing had he sworn on the ikon. 

Irina [to Fyodor] Dear husband — 

Fyodor. Well, Prince? 

Ivan. Spare me! 

Fyodor. No. I shall not! 

Kleshnin. Are you perhaps afraid, Prince? 

Fyodor. Afraid — nonsense! He is stubborn and 
hard, but I am more hard and stubborn than he. Tit 
for tat ! I shall not let him go until he answers. 

Ivan. Very well, then. I shall tell the whole truth ! 

Fyodor [frightened] What? What do you mean 
to ... ? 

Ivan. Yes! You heard the truth. I have plotted 
against you! 

Fyodor. The Saints preserve us! 

Ivan. Your weakness has exhausted our patience. 
You have given over the empire into strange hands. For 
a long time you have ceased to be Tsar. I have decided 
to tear Russia from GodunoiFs grip ! 

Fyodor [in an undertone] Quiet! Quiet! [Pointing 



68 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

to Kleshnin] Not in his presence! Do not speak fn his 
presence! He will repeat everything to Boris. 

Kleshnin. Continue, Prince ! 

Fyodor. Be quiet, be quiet! Tell me later when we 
are alone! 

Kleshnin. His Majesty is awaiting your confes- 
sion! 

Ivan. Yes ! To-day I acknowledged your brother as 
Tsar! 

Fyodor. Petrovitch — do not believe him! Do not 
believe him, Irina! 

Ivan. Because of whatever merits I may have ac- 
quired in the past, I shall demand one boon from you! 
I alone am guilty! Do not kill my allies. Without 
me they are not dangerous to you! 

Fyodor. What are you raving about? What non- 
sense! You do not realize yourself what fantastic things 
you are telling me! 

Ivan. Do not dream of pardoning me, Your Ma- 
jesty. For, if you did, I would again plot against you. 
You are not able to rule. But I cannot remain under 
GodunofFs heel. 

Kleshnin [to himself] The honor of a Prince! Bah! 
He needs no urging to confess his guilt ! 

Fyodor [takes Ivan aside] Prince, listen! Just have 
a little patience. Give Dimitry a chance to grow up. 
And I will then abdicate of my own free will. I swear 
it by my Savior! 

Kleshnin [crosses to table and takes one of the 
seals] Shall I seal this order? 

Fyodor. What order? You did not understand 
what I said! I myself ordered Dimitry proclaimed 
Tsar ! I gave this order — I am Tsar ! But I have 
changed my mind. It is no longer necessary. I have 
changed my mind, Prince! 

Kleshnin. Have you lost your mind ? 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 69 

Fyodor [whispering to Ivan] Go away! At once! 
I shall take all the blame ! Away with you ! 

Ivan [upset] No, he is a saint! God does not want 
me to rebel — God does not want it ! Your simplicity 
of heart is God-like, Fyodor Ivanovitch ! I cannot 
rebel against you ! 

Fyodor. Go away! Go away! Undo what you 
have done! [Pushes him from the room,] 

Kleshnin [passing the seal across the document, 
ready to use it] Little Father! Have the order sealed! 
Do not allow him to gather an army! Tsarina! Tell 
him that the nation's welfare depends on this very order! 

Irina. It is no longer needed! The storm has 
passed. Shouisky is no longer our enemy. 

Fyodor. Did you hear, Petrovitch, did you hear? 
Irinushka, you are an angel ! Nothing escapes you. You 
observe and understand everything. Yes — Shouisky is 
no longer our enemy! 

[Noise behind the door. Chambermaid runs in, fright- 
ened.] 

Chambermaid. Tsarina! Hide! Some madman 
has broken into the house! 

Shakhovskoy [heard outside] Stand back! Stand 
back! Let me go! I must see the Tsarina! [Shakhov- 
skoy appears on threshold, held back, by several servants. 
He pushes them aside and throws himself at Irinds feet] 
Forgive me, forgive me, Tsarina! I tried vainly to see 
you since this morning. 

Fyodor. Why — it is Shakhovskoy! 

Servants [rushing in accompanied by Archers] Seize 
the thief! 

Fyodor. Silence, silence, men! There is no thief 
here! [To Shakhovskoy] Tell me! What do you want? 

Shakhovskoy. Tsar! Punish me. But hear me 
first ! They want to divorce you and the Tsarina ! 

Fyodor. You are dreaming, Prince! 



7o TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Kleshnin [to himself] So that is how the land lies! 
[To Fyodor] Tsar, listen to him! 

Shakhovskoy. They want to make my fiancee your 
wife! 

Fyodor. Who? They? Who are they? 

Shakhovskoy. The uncles of my fiancee, Princess 
Mstislavskaya. The Shouiskys! 

Fyodor. Why, Prince, you are mad beyond all hope! 

Shakhovskoy [rises and hands the Tsar a paper] 
Here is their appeal! Little Mother! Make them give 
back my fiancee ! Almighty Tsar — order them to have 
our wedding celebrated this very day — at once ! 

Kleshnin. We have heard rumors about this docu- 
ment. Let me have a look at it. [Takes the paper and, 
after glancing it over, turns to Fyodor] You see, Little 
Father? A moment ago you said that the Tsarina knows 
Prince Ivan. But it seems that she does not. She is 
goodness and kindliness itself. Just now she was Ivan's 
angel of mercy. And she is the one whom he wants to 
take out of your life as if she were a sinful, guilty, erring 
wife, in order that you may marry his niece! You do 
not believe it, Little Father? Just read this! [Hands 
the paper to Fyodor.] 

Fyodor [reads] "Almighty Tsar, contract another 
marriage. Take Princess Mstislavskaya for your wife. 
As for Tsarina Irina, let her enter a convent . . ." 

Kleshnin. You know Ivan Petrovitch's handwrit- 
ing? Read the signature! 

Fyodor [reads] "We all greet you respectfully, and 
have hereto affixed our signatures: Dionisy, Metropoli- 
tan of all the Russias; Archbishop Varlaam of Krutits; 
Prince . . ." What? [With trembling voice] "Prince 
— Ivan — Petrovitch Shouisky !" His handwriting ! 
He, too, signed! Irinushka, he signed! [Sinks into arm- 
chair and covers his face with his hands.] 

Irina. Fyodor ! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 71 

Fyodor. He! He! Any one else but he! To sepa- 
rate you and me! [Cries.] 

Irina. Control yourself, Fyodor! 

Fyodor. To banish you! 

Irina. Dear husband! I cannot understand what 
it means. But just think! If Prince Ivan meant to drive 
you from the throne, could he have planned to make 
Princess Mstislavskaya your wife? 

Fyodor. You — my Irina — to send you into a con- 
vent — 

Irina. But it is not going to happen! 

Fyodor [jumping up] It shall not be! No! I will 
not permit anything to happen to you! Let them come. 
Let them come with cannon. Just let them try! 

Irina. Dear husband, you are exciting yourself with- 
out cause. Who can separate us? Why — : you are 
Tsar! 

Fyodor. Yes — I am Tsar ! They forgot that I am 
Tsar! Petrovitch, where is that order? [Runs to the 
table and seals the order] Here — here — give it to 
Boris ! 

[ Klesh nin leaves, ] 

Irina. What have you done? 

Fyodor. Let them be arrested and put into prison! 

Irina. My Lord ! My Tsar ! Do not be so hasty ! 

Fyodor. Prison — the prison for them ! 

Shakhovskoy [pulling himself together] Almighty 
Tsar, have mercy! I did not ask for this! I appealed 
to you only concerning my fiancee — 

Fyodor. Boris will settle everything for everybody! 

Shakhovskoy. He will ruin them! He will mur- 
der the Shouiskys! 

Fyodor. He will settle everything ! 

Shakhovskoy. I shall be guilty of their death! 
Tsar, have mercy! 

Fyodor. The prison, to prison with them! 



72 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Shakhovskoy. God! What have I done? [Runs 
out.] 

Irina. Dear husband, listen! Call back Kleshnin! 
Do not be too hasty! Do not send the Shouiskys to 
prison now that they are accused of treason ! 

Fyodor. No, no, no, Irinushka! Do not even ask me! 
You do not understand this. If I wait, I will pardon 
them perhaps. I will pardon them, and they need a lesson. 
Let them go to prison ! Let them get a taste of what it 
means to separate you and me! Let them stay in prison 
for a while ! [He leaves.] 

SCENE IV. 

The banks of the Yaousa River. Across the river is 
a bridge. On the farther bank is a bastion, cut by gates. 
On one side meadows, windmills, a monastery. People 
belonging to various classes of society are strolling across 
the bridge. Kuriukoff approaches, a battle-ax in his 
hands, followed by Lute-Player. 

Kuriukoff. Stand here, fellow. Tune your lute, and 
as soon as people gather around, begin to sing a song 
about Prince Ivan Petrovitch. God help us! This is 
what I have lived to see. 

[The player tunes his lute.] 

Kuriukoff [examines his ax] Well, old friend, old 
ax of my youth ! Since the days of the late Vassily 
Ivanovitch, I never took you from the wall. You have 
become rusty. But to-day you will surely be of use to me 
once more! [To Lute-Player] Well — fellow? Get 
ready. People are beginning to come. 

A Villager [approaches Kuriukoff] Good day, father 
Bogdan Semyonovitch ! What kind of an ax have you 
there ? 

Kuriukoff. It is my grandson's ax, little brother, 
my grandson's. It appears that once more the Tartars 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 73 

are threatening us. You see — my grandson was too 
busy, and I undertook to have the ax ground. And here I 
stopped a moment to listen to this lad's melodies. 

Villager. Are the Tartars very close? 

Kuriukoff. Rather close, I hear. 

Second Villager. Whom will they send against them ? 

Third Villager. Perhaps again Prince Ivan Petro- 
vitch ! 

Kuriukoff. They will send Godunoff. 

First Villager. Gracious! What are you saying, 
Bogdan Semyonovitch ? 

Kuriukoff [vindictively] Why not? Is not God- 
unoff a warrior? 

Third Villager. How can he compare to Ivan 
Petrovitch ? 

Kuriukoff [to Lute-Player] Well, fellow, how about 
that song? How about it? 

Lute-Player [singing] 

"A king was going to war, 
To march against the town of Pskoff; 
Having come close to the town, he began boasting: 
'This very town with all its towers, 
I shall take, and Prince Shouisky, the warrior, 
I shall bind hand and foot, and sweep throughout All 
the Russias!' " 

A Man. Sweep throughout all the Russias! Ho! He 
does not want much ! 

Second Man. To bind Ivan Petrovitch hand and foot! 
Just try it ! 

Kuriukoff [to Lute-Player] Well, my lad? 

Lute-Player [continues] 

"A terrible storm is raging over Pskoff, 
Loud ring the sabers against the walls, 
And fiery bullets drop on the town like hail I" 



74 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

A Woman. Mother of God, what horrors! 
Lute-Player [continues] 

"But when the moon rises, the Almighty Prince Ivan 

Petrovitch 
Appears on the battlements, walking straight ahead 

without stopping, 
Facing the bullets fearlessly !" 

Second Man. Yes! He was always fearless! 
Lute-Player [continues] 

"We have taken a solemn oath : 

We shall not give up Pskoff, but fight to the last drop!" 

First Man. And they did not surrender Pskoff ! No! 
Second Man. The Holy Saints defended it ! 
A Woman. The Mother of God protected it! 
Kuriukoff. And who was sitting there, Christians? 
Who was it? 

A Man. One word! Ivan Petrovitch! 
Kuriukoff. Just so! 
Lute-Player [continues] 

"For five months the king beleaguered Pskoff. 
When the sixth month came, he grew discouraged. 
And then the Prince made a sortie, and beat 
The entire Lithuanian forces. The king himself barely 

escaped. 
While running away, he, that dog, cursed : 
'Do not let me remain in Russia, Almighty God, nor 

my children, 
Nor my great-grandchildren! 1 



i> » 



Second Man. Served him right! Let them find out 
what Prince Ivan is like ! 

Lute-Player [finishing his song] 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 75 

"Glory be to the sun shining in the heavens! 
Glory be on earth to Prince Ivan Petrovitch! 
Glory to all Christian folks !" 

A Man. Glory, glory indeed! You have consoled 
us, gentle Lute-Player ! 

Second Man. You have honored the one who should 
be honored! [Giving money to the Lute-Player] Take 
this, my lad ! 

All. Here is a present for you! Here! Here is 
money! [They all drop money into the Lute-Player s hat.'] 

A Man. Brothers, look! Who is that galloping along? 

Second Man. Look how he whips his horse! He 
must be a messenger! 

Messenger [on horseback] Let me pass! Let me 
pass! Make way! Clear the bridge! 

First Villager. Friend, where are you from? What 
news? 

Messenger. From Tieshloff! The Tartars have 
crossed the Oka and are on their way to Moscow! Let 
me pass! [They all stand aside. The Messenger gallops 
across the bridge into the city.] 

First Man. Heavens! They will soon be here! 

A Woman [screaming] Merciful God! Again they 
will burn our villages ! 

Third Villager. There she goes and bawls! As 
though we had never seen the Tartars before ! What do 
we have Prince Ivan Petrovitch for? 

Fourth Villager. Even the king, who is nothing ex- 
cept a more decent Tartar, ran away like a dog from 
Prince Ivan Petrovitch! 

Third Villager. The man who can vanquish Ivan 
Petrovitch has not yet been created ! 

Kuriukoff [stepping to the front] Such a man has in- 
deed been created, Christians! Indeed! The accursed 
one! He has vanquished Ivan Petrovitch! He has 



76 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

bound him — him — our savior — he bound him hand and 
foot! 

The People. Why — God protect you, Little Father 
— What are you saying? Who dared put hand on Prince 
Ivan Petrovitch? 

Kuriukoff. Godunoff, Christians, Godunoff, Godun- 
off wants to do away with him! Soon he, our father, 
will be led across this very bridge to prison ! [Noise and 
loud cries amongst the crowd] Remember, people, who 
has always taken our part? Who defended us against 
our enemies? Against magistrates and soldiers! Against 
inspectors and jailers ! Who stopped the king from con- 
quering Moscow? Who turned back the Tartar hordes 
again and again? The Shouiskys have always stood by us, 
Christians! Is there any one in all the world who can 
compare with the Shouiskys? And whom did the Princes 
and nobles beg for support against Godunoff? People, 
without the Shouiskys we are lost ! 

Voices in the Crowd. We shall let no harm come 
to the Shouiskys! No! No harm shall come to our 
father, Ivan Petrovitch! 

Kuriukoff. Let us rescue him from Godunoff, 
Christians, and carry him home on our shoulders! 

The People. To the rescue! 

Kuriukoff. Let us stand by the Shouiskys, as we did 
in the days of Alona Vassilievna ! Here he comes, Chris- 
tians! Here he comes, our father, Ivan Petrovitch! 
Here he comes, he and his brothers, in chains! 

[Through the gates of the bastion tambourine-players 
on horseback ride; behind them rides Prince Tureynin; 
behind the latter, archers are leading Ivan and the other 
Shouiskys, with the exception of Vassily, in chains.] 

Tureynin [to the people] Clear the bridge! You are 
blocking the way ! 

Kuriukoff. Little Father, Prince Ivan Petrovitch! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 77 

I told you — do not make peace ! I told you, dear, do not 
make peace with Godunoff! 

The People. Your cause is just, Ivan Petrovitch, 
and we are with you ! 

Tureynin. Make way, scoundrels! We are taking 
the Shouiskys to prison, by the Tsar's command! 

The People. By the Tsar's command? That is a 
lie ! By Godunoff's command ! 

Tureynin [to the Archers] Disperse the crowd ! 

Kuriukoff. Shoulder to shoulder, Christians! Long 
live the Shouiskys ! 

The People. Long live the Shouiskys! We shall 
rescue our father ! 

Kuriukoff. Well, then, follow me all! As in the 
days of Alona Vassilievna! The Shouiskys! The Shouis- 
kys! [He attacks the Archers with his ax, the crowd 
following him.] 

The People. The Shouiskys! The Shouiskys! 

Tureynin [to Archers'] Kill the bandits! Throw 
them in the water! [General tumult.] 

Kuriukoff [falling from the bridge] The Shouiskys! 
I give my soul into God's hands ! 

Ivan. Be quiet, my friends, my people! Listen to me! 

The People. Dear father! We shall let no harm 
come to you ! 

Ivan. Listen to me, my people ! Stand back ! It is the 
Tsar's command! Do not put your heads into the noose! 

Tureynin. Go ahead! 

Ivan. Wait, Prince, let me say one last word to my 
people. Forgive me, people of Moscow, and remember 
me with kindness. We were with you to the very end, 
but God did not grant us success. New laws are being 
put into effect. Bow to God's will, observe the Tsar's 
commands, do not rise against Godunoff! There is no 
one left to lead you, nor to protect you against him ! I am 
merely reaping what I sowed. I have sinned, not because 



78 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

I quarreled with Godunoff, but because by foul means I 
tried to separate the Tsar from the Tsarina. And then I 
committed a still greater crime, when I rose against the 
Tsar himself. He is the Holy Tsar, my people, appointed 
by God, and his Tsarina is also Holy. May God grant 
them a long and happy life! [To Tureynin] Now, Prince, 
let us go on. Forgive me, people of Moscow ! 

The People. Little Father! To whom are you 
abandoning us poor orphans? 

Tureynin. Beat the tambourines! 

[The tambourine-players beat their tambourines. The 
crowed falls back. The Shouiskys are being led across 
the stage. Through the city gates rushes in Shakhovskoy, 
hatless, a sword in one hand, a pistol in the other, behind 
him Krassilnikoff and Golub, armed with spears.] 

Shakhovskoy [out of breath] Where is Prince Ivan 
Petrovitch ? 

A Man. What do you want him for? To rescue him, 
no doubt ! You are a bit late, Prince ! 

Second Man [pointing back stage] This very minute 
the prison gates closed behind him. 

Shakhovskoy. Then come with me, people! We 
shall tear the prison walls stone from stone ! 

Krassilnikoff. Why are you hesitating, people? 
Don't you know us ? 

Golub. This is Prince Shakhovskoy. And us you 
know! 

Voices in the Crowd. Well then, brothers? Really! 
We are enough in numbers! We can rescue him! Why 
should we not accompany the Prince? 

Shakhovskoy. To the prison, brothers! The Shou- 
iskys are still alive! 

The People. The Shouiskys! The Shouiskys! [All 
run, following Shakhovskoy.] 

CURTAIN. 



ACT FIVE. 

SCENE I. 

A small drawing room in the Tsars Palace. Godunoff 
and Kleshnin. 

Godunoff. Have all the adherents of the Shouiskys 
been arrested? 

Kleshnin. All the princes of the houses of Bekassoff, 
Ouroussoff, Tatieff, and KolitchefE are already behind the 
prison bars. The only one whom we could not put our 
hands on is Golovin. He simply seems to have vanished 
into thin air. As for Mstislavsky, you gave orders not 
to touch him. 

Servant [addressing Godunoff] Vassilly Ivanovitch 
Shouisky is here, brought by imperial command. 

Godunoff. Show him in. [To Kleshnin] Leave us 
alone. [Kleshnin and the servant leave. Vassily Shouisky 
enters] Good morning, Prince. I have learned that you 
tried to keep your uncle from carrying out his dastardly 
conspiracy. I praise you for it. 

Vassily Shouisky. I took the solemn oath to be 
faithful to my Tsar. . . . 

Godunoff [continuing] And to denounce the Tsar's 
foes. But you did not denounce Prince Ivan. 

Vassily Shouisky. I knew, sir, that you would find 
out everything through Starkoff. 

Godunoff. And were you aware that this document 
is also known to me ? 

79 



80 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Vassily Shouisky. Yes. 

Godunoff [showing him the document] Do you con- 
fess to having signed it ? 

Vassily Shouisky. I do. I confess, sir, furthermore 
that this petition was due to my initiative. Why deny it? 
I tried to be of service to you. When my uncle entered 
into an agreement with His Holiness and our Moscow ad- 
herents joined in, everybody offered his advice. There 
were even some people in Uglitch who wanted to pro- 
claim Dimitry Tsar. In order to avoid this contingency, 
I suggested this appeal. Why did you not permit us to 
present it to the Tsar? You knew of its existence. The 
Tsar, forewarned by you, would have heard us and re- 
fused us, and everything would have finished peacefully. 

Godunoff. Your words seem plausible enough. It 
does not matter whether I believe you or not. You are 
shrewd. You have already learned that it is not easy 
to fool me, and that it is difficult to argue with me. You 
are in my hands. However, I shall not punish you for 
past offenses, nor do I demand promises for the future. 
Whether it is more advantageous to you to be with me or 
against me, you must yourself decide. You may take 
your time about making up your mind. 

Vassily Shouisky. Boris Fyodorovitch, what is there 
to think about? I am your servant! 

Godunoff. We understand each other. You will 
forgive me then if I now satisfy myself if you are 
sincere in your protestations. [Vassily Shouisky leaves.] 

Servant [announces] Sir, the Tsarina is coming. 

[Irina enters j accompanied by several noblewomen. 
Godunoff kneels before her.] 

Godunoff. Almighty Tsarina, I did not expect this 
honor. 

Irina [to the Noblewomen] Leave us. [The Noble- 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVTTCH 81 

women leave'] Brother, it is not you but I who should 
kneel. 

Godunoff [rising] Sister, why did you come here un- 
announced ? 

Irina. Forgive me. Every minute counts. I came 
to beg you, brother — 

Godunoff. What about? 

Irina. Is it possible that you will kill Prince Ivan? 

Godunoff. He confessed his treason himself. 

Irina. He repented! We can trust his word. The 
Tsar's magnanimity conquered him. What are you 
afraid of ? Would you really return to the terrible days 
of Tsar Ivan? Those days are past. Is not kindliness 
Fyodor's only strength? Is he not beloved by the people 
because of it? And Fyodor's strength is yours. You 
must keep it intact for your own sake. Through it, and 
through it alone, we achieved with the Shouiskys what 
Tsar Ivan himself could not achieve by threats of death! 

Godunoff. Tsar Ivan was like a great volcano, and 
from the bowels of this volcano came an earthquake which 
shook all the world, and there would shoot up tongues 
of flame that carried death and destruction through all the 
land. Tsar Fyodor is quite different. I would rather 
compare him to a cleft in a green meadow. Its ruts and 
hillocks are overgrown with green, silken grass. But if 
you wander about carelessly, both the shepherd and his 
flock will fall through the cleft — into a precipice. We 
have a saying that once upon a time a church was swal- 
lowed by the earth, and so a hole appeared, and the people 
call it the ghost church. And there is a rumor that on 
very quiet days one can hear a distant tolling of bells and 
chanting of hymns. Fyodor seems to me like such a 
sainted but unreal church. In his soul he is always frank 
to friend and foe. His heart is filled with love and 
kindliness. And it is as though bells tolled gently in his 



82 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

inmost self. But what is the use of all this kindliness and 
piety since the man has no strength? Seven years have 
passed since Tsar Ivan swept across Russia like the 
scourge of God ; seven years since with great effort I put 
stone upon stone to erect a building, that sacred temple, 
that powerful empire, that new and prosperous Russia of 
ours, the Russia over which I spent many sleepless nights 
in thought! But everything is futile! I am building over 
a precipice! And, in a second, everything can crash into 
ruins. Should the most insignificant enemy desire it, he 
could win over the Tsar's heart, and my own will, with 
which I steeled his heart, he will forget. I have many 
foes, and they are not all negligible. You know the 
insolence of the Nagis and the Shouiskys' unconquerable 
pride — no, do not interrupt me — I respect the Shouiskys 
— but their loyalty is stupid and short-sighted. Their 
path is prosy and hackneyed ; chained they are to the old 
ideals of loyalty; and with such a Tsar as Fyodor there 
must be no room for them ! 

Irina. You are right, Boris. Prince Ivan has been 
in your way for a long time. But you are at last trium- 
phant. His guilt, of which he is now ashamed, is a sure 
proof that in the future Fyodor will have no servant more 
devoted than he. 

Godunoff. True! He will no longer rebel nor plot 
against the throne. But do you think that he has also 
given up the idea of thwarting me? 

Irina. You have broken him. You have conquered 
him completely. He is in prison. Is it possible that you 
seek still further vengeance? 

Godunoff. I bear no grudge toward a living soul. I 
listen to neither friendship nor enmity. I see only my 
duty, clear before me. I do not destroy my personal 
enemies, but those of the cause. 

Irina. Consider the good the man has done ! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 83 

Godunoff. He was rewarded by many honors! 

Irina. The Khan of the Nagis, followed by his horde, 
is driving to the walls of Moscow. Who will command 
our defense against him? 

Godunoff. It will not be the first time that Moscow 
has seen the Khan. 

Irina. Shouisky alone can save Moscow. 

Godunoff. Moscow is as blind to-day as ever. The 
one who, in the very heart of our country, rebels against 
the Tsar is much more dangerous than the Khan. Dan- 
gerous he is to the peace of the kingdom. He, too, is 
dangerous who strives ceaselessly to overgrow the crop 
of our young generation with the weeds of ancient strife. 
Irina ! I am in the habit of honoring in you a fair mind, 
and a clear understanding of the affairs of state. Do not 
let useless pity overshadow your brain! I counted upon 
you, Irina! Hitherto you have been more against than 
for me. You thought that Fyodor would learn to be 
Tsar. Your feelings were hurt because he was guided by 
me. But you see his helplessness. From now on help 
me, instead of hindering me. Not without reason did 
God make you the weak Tsar's Tsarina. A grave re- 
sponsibility is on your shoulders. You must be Tsarina, 
not a mere woman. You must now influence Fyodor to 
cease interfering in behalf of the Shouiskys. 

Irina. If I could persuade myself that they must 
perish for the good of the empire, then perhaps I would 
find enough courage to stifle the grief in my heart. But 
I do not believe, brother, I do not believe that this blood- 
shed w~ill help the land. Nor do I believe that you your- 
self will grow stronger through such a deed. No ! The 
blame will weigh heavily upon you. God forbid that I 
help you ! No ! I rely upon Fyodor ! 

Godunoff. You mean to oppose me again? 

Irina. Our paths are not the same. 



84 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVTTCH 

Godunoff. A time will come when you will under- 
stand, Irina, that your path and mine run parallel. [He 
opens the door and calls out] The Tsarina summons her 
ladies-in-waiting ! 

[The Noblewomen enter.] 

Irina. Forgive me, brother ! 

Godunoff [bowing very low] Forgive me, Almighty 
Tsarina ! 

SCENE II. 

A square in front of a cathedral. Beggars are crowd- 
ing about the entrance. In the background are seen 
crowds of people. 

First Beggar. Will the Tsar come out soon? 

Blind Man. Don't you hear them singing a requiem 
for the dead Tsar's soul ? They have sung so many that 
his memory is eternal by now. He will come out soon ? 

Second Beggar. Who is celebrating the mass? 

Blind Man. Ioff of Rostoff is officiating. There are 
rumors that he will be made Metropolitan, and His Holi- 
ness will be unfrocked. 

First Beggar. Will Dionisy be unfrocked? 

Blind Man. Yes. Dionisy and Varlaam of Krutits 
will be unfrocked. They have incurred Godunoff's dis- 
pleasure by siding with the Shouiskys. 

Third Beggar [on crutches, elbowing his way to the 
front] Brothers, have you heard what is going on in the 
Red Square? 

Blind Man. What is going on there? 

Third Beggar. They are decapitating the merchants. 

First Beggar. What merchants? 

Third Beggar. The Nogaieffs! Krassilnikoff ! The 
Golubs, father and son ! Others are being brought ! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 85 

All. God's will be done! Why? 

Third Beggar. Because they sided with the Shouiskys. 
The Shouiskys themselves are already in prison. 

First Beggar. God have mercy upon them! What 
did the Tsar say? 

Third Beggar. Godunoff overruled the Tsar's wishes ! 

All. Stand back! Stand back! Here comes the 
Tsarina ! 

[The beggars step to one side. Irina approaches with 
Princess Mstislavskaya, her ladies-in-waiting following. 
The Steward walks ahead and distributes alms.~\ 

Irina. Wait here, princess. When the Tsar comes 
out, bow low to him and beg him to show mercy to your 
uncle. 

Princess. Almighty Tsarina! May God reward you 
for having brought me here ! 

Irina. Do not be afraid, child. The Tsar is a 
kindly man. Why do you tremble so ? Let me straighten 
out your clothes. Look how you have deranged your hair. 

Princess. Mother Tsarina, I am so afraid. Tell me 
what to say to the Tsar. 

Irina. Speak straight from your heart, child. Where 
is your fiance? He should be with you now. 

Princess. I have not seen him, Tsarina, since the 
night, the hour when . . . [She covers her face with her 
hands and sobs.] 

Irina. Poor child! He is not any happier than you! 
He would gladly die, no doubt, to undo what he has done ! 

Princess. May the holy Virgin bless you for your 
pity! [All the bells peal. The Tsars courtiers come 
from the cathedral, two of them distributing alms. 
Fyodor follows. The Princess speaks in a whisper] Now, 
Tsarina? 

Irina. Not yet. Wait a little, child. You see, he is 
about to pray. 



86 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Fyodor [kneels, facing the cathedral'] Oh, Tsar, my 
father! You who have atoned for your sin9 by endless 
repentance and suffering, you are now in Heaven, in God's 
presence ! You knew how to reign ! Inspire me ! Imbue 
me with one particle of your strength and teach me how to 
be Tsar! [Rises and starts to go.] 

Irina [to Princess] Now, Princess! 

Princess [throws herself at Fyodor s feet] Almighty 
Tsar, have mercy ! 

Fyodor. What is it, young princess? Get up, get up! 

Princess. Spare my uncle ! 

Fyodor. Who are you ? Who is your uncle? 

Princess. Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky! 

Fyodor. So you are Princess Mstislavskaya? Yes, yes, 
I recognize you. 

Irina [throwing herself on her knees] Dear husband! 
She joins me in my prayer for Prince Ivan Petrovitch ! 

Fyodor. Irina ! What is the matter with you ? Irina, 
get up ! Get up, both of you ! I shall pardon Prince 
Ivan Petrovitch, but he must remain in prison for a 
while. 

Irina. Dear husband, pardon him now. Send for 
him at once! Command him to defend Moscow as he 
defended Pskoff in former days. 

Fyodor. All right, Irina, I myself wished to send for 
him — I meant to send for him a little later — but for 
your sake, Irina, I shall send for him at once. [To 
Godunoff] Boris, send for him! 

Godunoff. Almighty Tsar, you yourself have per- 
mitted us to try the Shouiskys. The trial has begun. 

Fyodor. It must be stopped at once. 

Godunoff. But, Almighty Tsar — 

Fyodor. You heard my command ! 

Godunoff. Almighty Tsar! 

Fyodor. You have chosen an inopportune time to go 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 87 

against my wishes. From to-day on I shall be Tsar! I 
will be glad to listen to all advice and suggestions, but 
only hear them, not obey them. ^VTiere is Prince Ivan's 
warden ? Where is Prince Tureynin ? 

Kleshnin. Here he comes. [Tureynin approaches.'] 

Fyodor [to Tureynin] All the Shouiskys are to be re- 
leased immediately. Ivan Petrovitch is to be brought to 
me at once. [Tureynin does not budge] You have heard? 
What are you waiting for? 

Tureynin. Almighty Tsar! 

Fyodor. How dare you stand before me without mov- 
ing when I order you to do something ? 

Tureynin. Almighty Tsar, I am powerless to execute 
your command — Ivan Petrovitch — 

Fyodor. Well ? 

Tureynin. Last night he — 

Fyodor. Last night — what ? Speak ! Well ? What ? 

Tureynin. Last night he hanged himself. 

Princess. Dear Mother of God! 

Tureynin. We are to blame. We should have 
watched him more carefully. We w r ere on the lookout 
so that the people might not rescue him. Yesterday we 
repulsed the crowds. They came with the merchants, 
commanded by Shakhovskoy, and had I not shot him dead, 
they w r ould have broken in. 

[Princess faints.] 

Fyodor. [In a terrible rage, to Tureynin] Prince 
Shouisky hanged himself? Ivan Petrovitch? You lie. 
He did not kill himself. He was strangled! [Seizes 
Tureynin by the collar with both hands] You strangled 
him! Murderer! Beast! [To Godunoff] Did you know 
this? 

Godunoff. God is my witness — I knew nothing ! 

Fyodor. Executioners! Let a scaffold be erected! 
Here! At once! In front of me! At once! I was 



88 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

lenient with you too long ! The time has come for me to 
remember whose blood is running in my veins. Not with- 
out reason did my late father become suddenly a harsh 
tyrant! His courtiers made him the harsh man he was — 
you will remember him ! 

[Messenger, his clothes covered with dust, holding a 
paper in his hand, approaches Godunoff hurriedly.'] 

Messenger. From Uglitch — to Boris Fyodorovitch 
Godunoff ! 

Fyodor [tearing the paper out of his hands'] Give it 
to me! When the Tsar himself stands before you, Boris 
does not exist! [Looks at the paper, and begins to 
tremble] Irinuskha — my eyes are growing weak — I 
can hardly see — it seems to me that I read wrong — my 
sight is getting dim — you had better read it ! 

Irina [glancing at the paper] Merciful God ! 

Fyodor. What is it, Irina? Well? 

Irina. Tsarievitch Dimitry — 

Fyodor. Fell on a knife? And stabbed himself to 
death? Is that it? 

Irina. Yes, Fyodor, yes. 

Fyodor. In an epileptic fit he fell on a knife? Is it 
really true, Irina? Perhaps you did not read right — 
give me the paper! [Takes the paper and glances at it, 
then drops it] To death — to death — yes — he stabbed 
himself to death ! I cannot, believe it ! Is not all this a 
dream? Brother Dimitry was to me like a son — you 
and I have no children, Irina! 

Irina. God has plunged all Russia into sorrow! 

Fyodor. I loved him like a son. I was anxious to 
take him along with me, but I left him there, in Uglitch. 
. . . Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky warned me not to leave 
him. What will he say now? Ah — I forgot! He will 
never speak again — he is dead ! 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 89 

Godunoff [who in the meanwhile has picked up the 
paper and read it] Almighty Tsar . . . 

Fyodor. Did you not say he strangled himself ? While 
Dimitry stabbed himself ? Irina — why — suppose 
that . . . 

Godunoff. Tsar, you must send some one to Uglitch 
at once. 

Fyodor. What for? I will go there myself. I want 
to see Dimitry myself. With my own eyes! I believe 
nobody. 

[Soldier approaches Godunoff,] 

Soldier. Signal fires are sending up smoke on the 
road to Serpukhovsk! 

Godunoff. Almighty Tsar, the Khan is coming. 
Within a few hours his troops will surround Moscow. 
You cannot leave now. 

Kleshnin. Almighty Tsar, send me, your humble 
servant! Little Father, although I am a simple man, I 
will report to you whatever I see. 

Godunoff. Prince Vassily Ivanovitch Shouisky might 
be trusted with the investigation of this matter. Let them 
both go to Uglitch and find out who is to blame for this 
misfortune. 

Fyodor [taken aback] Really? You really want to 
send Vassily Shouisky to Uglitch? Send a nephew of 
the man whom you . . . whom they last night . . . 
[Embraces Godunoff] Brother-in-law! Forgive me! I 
stand guilty before you! Forgive me — my thoughts 
were tangled up — I became confused — I cannot tell 
truth from untruth ! My Irinushka, come to me. Petro- 
vitch, go with Prince Vassily. Prince Vassily, what was 
I trying to say to you ? I forget. Yes, I remember now. 
Last week I sent Dimitry some toys — [Weeps] I would 
like to know ... I would like to know . . . did he 
have time . . . to . . . 



90 TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 

Princess [being led by some ladies-in-waiting'] All is 
over ! My fiance was shot — my uncle strangled — 

Irina. Child, you will come to me. You will be to 
me as my own daughter. 

Princess. Tsarina, I would like to take the veil. . . . 

Fyodor. Yes, Princess, yes, take the veil ! Leave this 
world ! There is no truth in it. I myself would gladly 
leave it. ... I am afraid to live in it. . . . Irina . . . 
save me, Irina! 

[The ladies-in-waiting lead the Princess away.'] 

Irina. Dear husband Fyodor! In prayer alone can 
we ask God to grant us consolation ! 

Fyodor. In prayer? Yes, Irina! I will go to a 
monastery . . . I shall pray . . . 

Irina. You cannot do it, dear husband Fyodor ! You 
have no successor to the throne. 

Fyodor. Yes. I am the last of my dynasty — the last 
one — what is there for me to do, Irina ? 

Irina. Dear husband, you have no choice. Boris alone 
can administer the affairs of this kingdom, he alone. 
Leave in his hands the burden and responsibilities of gov- 
ernment. 

Fyodor. Yes, yes, Irina. I shall no longer interfere 
in anything. 

Godunoff [in a whisper, to Irina] Our paths have 
met! 

Irina. If only they had never, never met ! 

[A blowing of trumpets. Mstislavsky enters, in steel 
armor and helmet. Godunoff V armorer brings him his 
weapons.] 

Mstislavsky [to Godunoff] Sir, the troops are in the 
field, awaiting your command ! 

Godunoff [arming himself] On, to the fight! [The 
noblemen leave.] 



TSAR FYODOR IVANOVITCH 91 

Mstislavsky. Will you yourself lead us against the 
Khan? 

Godunoff. Noble Prince Mstislavsky! I am a 
statesman, you a warrior! From now on you are the 
man on horseback — to defend Russia. You are our 
chieftain — lead on to battle — I shall follow you like a 
soldier! [Leaves with Mstislavsky. Crowds run after 
them. Fyodor and Irina remain alone on the stage with 
a few 1 beggars.] 

Fyodor. Irina, you and I remain childless! Through 
my fault we lost my brother. I am the last scion of that 
branch of my family which has ruled Russia. My race 
will die with me. If Ivan Petrovitch Shouisky were 
alive, I would have willed the throne to him. But now 
God knows in whose hands it is going to fall. Every- 
thing has happened through my fault, everything ! And I 
— strove to do good, Irina! I longed to establish com- 
plete peace, to straighten out everything- — God, God! 
Why did you make me Tsar? 

CURTAIN. 



I- 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 326 240 ft ft 



F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest 

Present 

BALIEFFS CHAUVE-SOURIS 

Century Roof Theatre 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 326 240 ft « 



« RflRY 0F CONGRESS 



002 326 240 ft \ 



